FTC Moves to Stop Astroturfing

Marketers Anonymous writes: "The Washington Post is reporting that a recent FTC staff letter said that paid marketers must disclose their company affiliation when engaged in Word-of-Mouth Marketing (AKA astroturfing). Hopefully, this will curb advertising practices many people find dishonorable, such as Sony's recent YouTube campaign, or the telecom's anti-Net Neutrality commercials, although it won't put a complete stop to them so long as they make it clear that they're paid commercial endorsements. Further details can be found in the FTC Staff Opinion Letter [PDF]."