Earlier today we wrote about the FTC planning to put an end to bribed bloggers. But they might be targeting the receiving end rather than eradicating the problem at its root. Microsoft bribes bloggers not directly; rather, it uses unethical marketing agencies. Edelman was responsible for bribing bloggers with laptops back in 2006 and Microsoft's PR department (Waggener Edstrom) did this in 2008. There are many more examples, but this is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Here is the complaint I sent.

Subject: Abuse by firms "Edelman" and "Waggener Edstrom"

To:

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 E-mail: antitrust@ftc.gov

It has come to my attention[1] that you are working to end the practice where bloggers get bribed for reviews of products. I opine that in order to end this abuse you must target the givers -- not just the receivers -- of bribes. I hereby wish to file a complaint about "Edelman" and "Waggener Edstrom", lodged at addresses:

Waggener Edstrom Civica North Tower 225 108th Ave NE Suite #700 Bellevue, WA 98004-5737 Phone: (425) 638-7000 Fax: (425) 638-7001 Email: newbiz@waggeneredstrom.com

Edelman International Square 1875 Eye Street, NW Suite 900 Washington, D.C. 20006

Both firms were giving laptops that are worth approximately $2,000 for many bloggers to write about. There was no strict requirement that these laptops get returned. Here is proof that Waggener Edstrom was involved[2] and here is corresponding proof for Edelman[3]. They worked on behalf of their client, Microsoft Corporation.

With kind regards,

Roy Schestowitz

____ [1] http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10269962-38.html [2] http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisedes.... [3] http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2006/12/28.html

We advise others to do the same and report this issue. ⬆