ATI Hires PR firm for North America

[Geo]

http://www.highroad.com/HighRoad/default.aspx?tid=1&xml=4.1.xml&aid=219

High Road Communications. Responsible for North America, it says.

“We are impressed with the strategic thinking, creativity and passion that High Road brings to our business,â€￾ said Chris Evenden, Director, Public Relations, ATI Technologies Inc. “High Road’s communications process enables us to choose the best method of reaching key audiences, from traditional media relations and blogs to viral marketing and events. High Road will help us take our PR programs to the next level and positively impact our business.â€￾

Ah, that old bugaboo "viral marketing" appears in there. That can cover quite a wide range of activities from the relatively benign to those some would find offensive. Any of our ATI friends, or new folks from High Road, care to address where on the scale of things HRC's "viral marketing efforts" for ATI will fall?

Tho I think if you look back at the old you-know-what thread re NV, you won't find me as one of those blasting "viral marketing" per se --the range of what that can cover is quite broad, and in its simpler and transparent forms is quite inoffensive in my eyes.

 

[Mark]

I'm still of the opinion that viral marketing, whether conducted directly or indirectly, is one of the greasiest forms of marketing being used. It’s disappointing, though not surprising, to see ATI employing an agency to do it for them.

 

[digitalwanderer]

If it's transparent, it's no problem...then it's just PR.


It's when they try and do stuff on the sly that I dislike.

 

[Mark]

If it's transparent, it's no problem...then it's just PR.


It's when they try and do stuff on the sly that I dislike.

I'd agree with that, but then how do we know what's transparent and what's being done on the sly?

 

[Geo]

I'd agree with that, but then how do we know what's transparent and what's being done on the sly?

Pollyanna that I am, I'm hoping that HRC designates an emissary to the community and shows up regularly in public to talk about what they are doing. . .and what they won't do.

One could even hope that "High Road" isn't a reference to their choice in recreational chemicals. But then, it's a PR firm, so who knows.

 

[Sxotty]

Pollyanna that I am, I'm hoping that HRC designates an emissary to the community and shows up regularly in public to talk about what they are doing. . .and what they won't do.

One could even hope that "High Road" isn't a reference to their choice in recreational chemicals. But then, it's a PR firm, so who knows.

We shall wait and see.

I cannot say they are evil, but I dislike this stuff as I said in the earlier thread.

 

[trinibwoy]

Pollyanna that I am, I'm hoping that HRC designates an emissary to the community and shows up regularly in public to talk about what they are doing. . .and what they won't do.

Don't see any reason why they would be compelled to do so. I'm sure they're not operating from a position of assumed guilt.

 

[Geo]

Don't see any reason why they would be compelled to do so. I'm sure they're not operating from a position of assumed guilt.

Compelled? We went from me "hoping" to "compelled"?

Of course they wouldn't be compelled. "That which isn't forbidden is mandatory" is fine for police states, but I'm not so fond of it for PR organizations that value the good opinion of their target audience.

Maybe they don't put value on that, I certainly have no way of knowing. . . yet.

 

[Tim Murray]

Keep in mind that viral marketing is not necessarily directly and invisibly influencing forums by paid posters or whatever. AEG only blew up after it said on their page "community management" and then Pete's story about being contacted.

 

[Geo]

True. ATI's best "viral asset" in some time was. . . the Toy Shoppe demo. And, yes, that's what it is (tho not *all* that it is --it is also a fine technology showcase).

This is why I don't throw viral marketing under the bus generically, gadawful name and all.

 

[digitalwanderer]

Pollyanna that I am, I'm hoping that HRC designates an emissary to the community and shows up regularly in public to talk about what they are doing. . .and what they won't do.

Hmm, sounds like I better put a job application in there....

 

[Nelsieus]

Lol, it'll be funny to see how all the anti - nV / AEG bashers respond. (more like pathetic )

Anywho, there's nothing wrong with viral marketing as long as the PR agent clearly states that such is their position (which I guess isn't very practical). Otherwise, viral marketing is a tiny bit shady, but it's not as if I'm going to scream in outrage. I can make my own decisions, and anyone who's looking to buy a GPU should research and be able to make theirs, as well. Again, I realize the impracticality of this, but meh, whatever.

 

[IgnorancePersonified]

I like the name viral becuase it gives conotations of genital warts or herpes which I find fitting.

 

[trinibwoy]

Compelled? We went from me "hoping" to "compelled"?

Nope just presenting a different perspective Any such move would require some motivation.

 

[thatdude90210]

Lol, it'll be funny to see how all the anti - nV / AEG bashers respond. (more like pathetic ).

NV/AEG had hidden forum posters, ATI just hired a PR firm. We have no idea what they will be doing. It's like one guy shot someone, another guy bought a gun... there's a distinction.

And viral marketing could be as harmless as those ilovebee-type cryptic websites, just gets people talking by building up mystery.

 

[Geo]

Well, pollyanna that I am, I've written them a longish email this morning inviting them to be participants in the community, by showing up to talk about what they are going to be doing. And pointed them at this thread, of course.

I did the same thing with AEG when that one broke, btw.

 

[Nelsieus]

NV/AEG had hidden forum posters, ATI just hired a PR firm. We have no idea what they will be doing.

“High Road’s communications process enables us to choose the best method of reaching key audiences, from traditional media relations and blogs to viral marketing and events.

Not sure about you, but that's pretty clear to me. 0_o

 

[Tim Murray]

Not sure about you, but that's pretty clear to me. 0_o

I Bees was one of the coolest things in the past few years, and that was viral marketing. Viral marketing is not just paying forum users to write good things about your products.

 

[digitalwanderer]

I just wanted to add that I'm trying like hell to read that thread at Anands since a friend PMed it to me, but it's making me feel all icky.

I don't think I hate any forums the way I do Anands. It's not just because it's ugly and everyone nests quotes fourteen ways to Sunday, it's the whole atmosphere of ignorance.

 

[Nelsieus]

I just wanted to add that I'm trying like hell to read that thread at Anands since a friend PMed it to me, but it's making me feel all icky.

I don't think I hate any forums the way I do Anands. It's not just because it's ugly and everyone nests quotes fourteen ways to Sunday, it's the whole atmosphere of ignorance.

I'm frequenting that thread (as Nelsieus) so you might be referring to me, or not (don't know but won't take offense if you are.) I am mainly combating some of the trolls who feel they need to go on damage control from this news (particularly Ackmed).

I agree with you that there is a high-level of ignorance. I don't understand why most people would believe that these viral marketing agencies would waste their time there at Anand, or even here. These are technical places, regarded with "intelligent consumers," who probably couldn't be "swayed by viral marketing attempts." It's places like gamespot, IGN, etc. who are vulnerable to viral marketers, because it's those places where there tends to be a low amount of consumer knowledge (though sometimes I could say the same about Anand boards).

Anywho, I guess to the outraged people, it's the concept that angers them. It's only effective marketing, though.

Meh, anyways. Hopefully you don't think I'm ignorant or anything, but I can see how it would be easy to get that impression from some of the members frequenting that thread.