Why bloggers in America may have to look again at testimonials

An interesting development from the States which bloggers in this country might well be keeping an eye on.

The New York Times reports that

The Federal Trade Commission on Monday took steps to make product information and online reviews more accurate for consumers, regulating blogging for the first time and mandating that testimonials reflect typical results.

As they point out

Bloggers have long praised or panned products and services online. But what some consumers might not know is that many companies pay reviewers for their write-ups or give them free products such as toys or computers or trips to Disneyland. In contrast, at traditional journalism outlets, products borrowed for reviews generally have to be returned.

Mail to give away brand new CD

Quite a rumpus seems to broken put about over the Mail On Sunday's decision to give away copies of Prince's brand new CD this weekend.

We have had CD's,DVD's given away for many years now in an attempt to boost circulation but this marks a new departure as the album has yet to be released and coincides with the artists return to the limelight.

Not suprisingly it is the music industy which is veermently against the move.The Entertainment retailers assocaition describing it as " an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career."

The record will be available in normal outlets from the 24th July.

For the paper which currently sells around 2m copies it will no doubt provide a massive circulation boost and much publicity.For the artist probably the same and will give the album more exposure which may lead to greater sales.