6 ways to tell if story is a hoax, Bloggers Beware & sponsors at EP

6 ways to tell if a viral story is a hoax

This is a really useful article from the UK Independent offering suggestions on how to check if a viral story is a hoax.  It includes ‘Reverse Image Search’ which debunked the recent “ISIS posing as Syrian refugees attack police in Germany” story – that photo turned out to be 3 years old.  It also features “Jeffrey’s ExifViewer” which tells you what camera was used and the date, time and location that the photo was created – but warns that this data is removed by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter when photos are uploaded on to their platforms.  Definitely worth checking these out.

http://ind.pn/1LIqsD0

Bloggers beware of ad network contracts

My initial reaction to this Guardian story about a UK ‘mommy blogger’ having to quit her blog because of the pressure put on her by corporate sponsors was - surely she could just have refused?  After all, she’s been writing the blog for 13 years apparently and thus would have a powerful negotiating position? But it’s only in the comments I see a reference to an ‘ad network’ with whom she signed a contract and she couldn’t get out it – so she had to quit.  They wanted her to include her children in posts and sponsored events – controversial and harsh – but was this in the initial contract or was it constructed in such a clever way as to give them all the power?  A very good warning to any bloggers thinking of signing similar contracts.

http://bit.ly/1G3LSIL

Electric Ireland prove to be very current at EP

Terrible pun I know!  Electric Ireland must have been delighted with the results of this survey which was carried out by a former employer of mine PSG Sponsorship – then Slattery PR!  They interviewed 230 of the 50,000 attendees at the festival to see which brand made the most impact.  With brands investing hugely in EP, the results have no doubt been carefully examined by the various sponsors.  Unprompted, Electric Ireland scored an impressive 62% for their #90sPowerParty, Heineken were second at 54%, Three at 35% and Bacardi at 34%.  Prompted recall saw Heinken take the top spot.

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/brand-memories-stick-at-the-picnic-31533150.html

www.grainnebyrnePR.ie