Nvidia viral marketing with AEG exposed !!! *UPDATED* *Poll Added*

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Rollo

The whole thing is a sad joke. If people who don't care about computer parts read this, they would think we are the saddest losers on the planet for getting this bent out of shape over posts of opinions about video cards.

many who do care about comp parts think the exact same thing.


ok people. form a line so sticks can be distributed.

i can almost see the concern with pr companies planting/compensating people in forums or whatever they do, but come on! gtf over it! just think of it like adblock. you dont like what they say, ignore it by blocking it out.

oh no weve been decieved!!! its the fvkin internet.....

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: Ronin

Originally posted by: orangat
Like the purevideo fix you said which was supposed to be coming for broken agp 6800s from your (yet unknown at that time) contacts??

That was public knowledge, not private. The fix was supposed to be through their software, which never really materialized (the software did, the fix didn't).

If you're going to castrate the man, at least make sure you're accurate about your accusations.

Rollo claimed a fix was coming prior to any public announcement and got the facts wrong as well. It shouldn't be hard to find, I was there and remember it well.

Edit: Link He made earlier references, but this is the one that specifically claims WMV acceleration was simply waiting on MS at this point. Note this is well into the second major thread on this issue, and we all know that WMV acceleration never materialized for NV40.
11/01/2004 06:20 PM(USA Pacific) Rollo: refering to WMV decoding accleration: As promised, I asked my buddy at nVidia about this again.

He said the 6800 hardware can do the decoding, if MS would update WMP10. Said there was nothing else to tell, that an update to WMP would resolve this.

So I guess one of two things is going to be the case:
1. MS will release an updated MP that will allow the 6800 to offload
2. The media encoders will be an angry bunch


Time will tell.

 

[Janooo]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
...
Gsellis! If I had 10 dollars and you were in person here, i'd give it to you. Wow, he was right on the money... LOL

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777
Who were you before you were banned a few weeks ago?

I am going to grab some popcorn and a lawn chair and wait for him to call you an ATI fanboy ;P

Ahhh... It looks like we have ah heck figured out pretty well.

Gsellis, you are good. You saw right through him.

 

[Creig]

Come on guys, take the back and forth bickering to another thread and let's keep this one focused on AEG and its compensated employees.


Response from AEG

The program, I assure you, is far less nefarious than your rather damaging article/blog above claims it to be. These members were not "paid in hardware" as your article states, but sent hardware to give us (NVIDIA through AEG) feedback, positive or negative, regarding their experience with it. They were never told what to say, nor did they sign any document forbidding them to discuss their relationship with NVIDIA or AEG. They are not actors: they were real, informed, hardware enthusiasts that could help us further understand what it was the community wanted from hardware vendors.


Thanks,
Stephanie Schopp
AEG

1) According to AEG's own website, they are a PR firm founded for the sole purpose of increasing product "buzz" and subsequently increasing sales. There is absolutely NO MENTION of hardware review/feedback.

2) Do they really expect us to think that nVidia had to send out free hardware to people in order to receive feedback? These forums are FILLED with people who would gladly test/benchmark their own hardware and submit the results back to nVidia in order to help improve driver quality/features.

 

[Wellsoul2]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Rollo

The whole thing is a sad joke. If people who don't care about computer parts read this, they would think we are the saddest losers on the planet for getting this bent out of shape over posts of opinions about video cards.

many who do care about comp parts think the exact same thing.
ok people. form a line so sticks can be distributed.

i can almost see the concern with pr companies planting/compensating people in forums or whatever they do, but come on! gtf over it! just think of it like adblock. you dont like what they say, ignore it by blocking it out.
oh no weve been decieved!!! its the fvkin internet.....

I'd say it's not as big a deal in a forum because you have so many informed
people who will pounce on a blatant shill.

Go buy PC Magazine for pure shilling..
Most magazines promote overpriced crap because that is what they get for free to test
and use. Not to mention Ad revenue.
Compare any shilling here to most computer mags that promote $5000 computer
systems (You could build them for $1200)

The quality of magazine articles is pure propaganda mixed with arbitrary opinion.

Compared to that I can put up with anybody here.

 

[Creig]

It has been brought to our attention that there is some confusion regarding AEG?s relationship with NVIDIA Corporation; specifically that AEG has been retained by NVIDIA for ?hiring employees to shill for clients on online discussion forums,? as recently stated by The Consumerist.

While there are agencies that engage in the practice of paying consumers for their opinions, it is not?and never has been?a practice of the Arbuthnot Entertainment Group. We do work to solicit the opinions of the community for NVIDIA. The names of those individuals whom we solicit opinions from are not made public in order to assure the quality and honesty of feedback from consumers. Furthermore, we take this precaution so that they, the enthusiast, are not barraged with unqualified individuals inquiring about participating.

AEG has found that monitoring forums and reporting to NVIDIA problems, bugs or fixes mentioned by members of the online community is a far more honest and effective way for NVIDIA to be aware of the needs of its customers. It is not our goal to direct public opinion; we monitor discussion in the community as a way to seek feedback from consumers, be it positive or negative, so NVIDIA can improve its current and future products. It is the ongoing opinions of the hardware community that direct the hardware vendors, not the other way around.

Wow, are we sure this is from the same AEG company that says:

AEG is a leader in interactive entertainment public relations, with a successful track record serving clients such as Microsoft Game Studios, NVIDIA, 2K Games and Warner Brothers.

Our specialty is working with editors in enthusiast and consumer media to obtain maximum exposure for our clients? products, while identifying and cultivating influential online communities to generate grassroots buzz and positive word-of-mouth.

We work closely with our clients to create and execute an integrated PR plan to achieve broad coverage in print, online and broadcast media, while utilizing our close ties to online communities to support and amplify the marketing and PR impact. Through years of experience, we?ve learned that this two-pronged approach achieves the highest ROI: It not only secures substantial mindshare for our clients and their products, but gets consumers to share their positive opinions online for millions of others to see.

AEG?s experienced and responsive PR team will ensure your brand, product or message reaches the largest possible segment of your target audience. We have excellent relationships with media and years of experience working with online communities to help promote games, gadgets, computer hardware and more. Contact us today to find out how our tactics can help heat up buzz around your product, helping your company succeed and exceed its sales targets.

http://aeginfo.com/about.shtml


That's funny, I don't see ANYTHING pertaining to hardware/software evaluation in there. Still looks like a PR Marketing firm to me.

 

[Munky]

If Nvidia just wanted to get feedback on their products, they could have easily sent em to me, I'd let em know of every problem and issue I find. But I'd probably not be the best candidate for spreading "positive buzz" and "managing" an online community - in other words, steer the discussion away from Nv problems and emphasize their positive features.

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: Creig
1) According to AEG's own website, they are a PR firm founded for the sole purpose of increasing product "buzz" and subsequently increasing sales. There is absolutely NO MENTION of hardware review/feedback.

People are overlooking this simple fact. A PR/Marketing firm is being hired to handle your beta testing/feedback program??? A speciality not even mentioned on their site NOR mentioned or prasied for by any of their clients?

People are just too arrogant to believe that they could possibly be affected by such tactics. Truth is, if people weren't suspetible to such tactics, companies like AEG would not be in the business and successful.


http://www.aeginfo.com/
Check out the specializes in section. Where is the beta testing part!?

"We work very closely with our clients to deliver maximum results that exceed expectations. We have helped educate consumers, raise awareness and drive sales for dozens of AAA titles, including Halo and Halo 2, the Age of Empires series, Jade Empire, Conker: Live & Reloaded and Project Gotham Racing. In addition to our efforts in games software, we have been instrumental in online PR and community campaigns for Xbox, NVIDIA, GameSpot, Pets.com, Warner Brothers and more."


Still no mention of "beta testing" You'd think games would require tons of beta testing and feedback and it would mentioned in big bold capital letters. WHERE IS IT!?

"I've had the pleasure to work with Arbuthnot Communications from their origins more than eight years ago and consider them a critical component to our marketing efforts. From my perspective, the most powerful form of marketing for any entertainment property is 'positive word of mouth,' and the Internet is the ideal communication vehicle to help spread that buzz. Arbuthnot recognizes this like no other agency I've worked with, and knows what it takes to build this 'must-have' buzz. While most PR agencies find it beneath them or a waste of their time to interact with the smallest fan site or the most remote online forum, Arbuthnot understands that these passionate fans are the ones that turn so-so titles into blockbusters. The slow and steady process of 'magnifying the mania' with these loyal fans is what Arbuthnot is all about, and they execute better than anyone in the business. They have delivered results on many million-selling PC games like Age of Empires and MechWarrior, and are approaching Microsoft's highly anticipated Xbox titles with the same level of detail - delivering the same high level of success.
For more than eight years now, I've considered Arbuthnot our 'secret weapon' compared with the marketing teams at other game publishers and look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Atleast the guy from Microsoft is honest!

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: Wellsoul2

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Rollo

The whole thing is a sad joke. If people who don't care about computer parts read this, they would think we are the saddest losers on the planet for getting this bent out of shape over posts of opinions about video cards.

many who do care about comp parts think the exact same thing.
ok people. form a line so sticks can be distributed.

i can almost see the concern with pr companies planting/compensating people in forums or whatever they do, but come on! gtf over it! just think of it like adblock. you dont like what they say, ignore it by blocking it out.
oh no weve been decieved!!! its the fvkin internet.....

I'd say it's not as big a deal in a forum because you have so many informed
people who will pounce on a blatant shill.

Go buy PC Magazine for pure shilling..
Most magazines promote overpriced crap because that is what they get for free to test
and use. Not to mention Ad revenue.
Compare any shilling here to most computer mags that promote $5000 computer
systems (You could build them for $1200)

The quality of magazine articles is pure propaganda mixed with arbitrary opinion.

Compared to that I can put up with anybody here.

agreed. but anyone with half a brain over the age of 10 should be able to figure this out. its all about money.

nv wants money.
mags want money.
aeg wants money.
users want free stuff=money.

its like a buddy i have at work. he was amazed one day when some celeb was on 5 different late night and talk shows in one week. no sh!t sherlock, they are there to promote a movie, not just because they want to stare at lettermans hair.

talk show, mags, aeg; all just small cogs in the big machine to capture peoples disposable income. why is this so shocking to someone? i dont like watching celebs, so i turn off the tv. if i dont like what someone is posting in these forums, i hit the back button.

i dont like being spoon-fed what to think or buy, and i like to think i can sniff it out when thats happening. but some people like to have their hand held like that, and i say good for them. not my life, not my money. if they cant figure out whats going on for whatever reason, meh.....such is life.

 

[v8envy]

Originally posted by: munky
If Nvidia just wanted to get feedback on their products, they could have easily sent em to me, I'd let em know of every problem and issue I find.

Actually, you'd be my #1 candidate for recruitment into a AEG-like viral marketing program here at AT. Knowlege, lots o posting, enthusiasm for hardware.

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT. We may or may not have involvement from a different program by a different marketer (unlikely), but that's a whole different ball of wax.

The audience here at AT is vastly different from b3d, and the same tactics wouldn't be as effective. Less informed yet louder (troll-like) posters en masse would be a better fit. Luckily you don't have to pay that kind, plenty can be found 'working' for free.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Todd33
Sorry folks, getting free gear from Nvidia is pretty much like being buttered up and bought off. It's just a way to inject a bias into a trusted high tech crowd..

While I respect your opinion, it's only one of thousands that differ from each other.

 

[nitromullet]

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

:::watches nitro scratching his head:::

 

[v8envy]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Wellsoul2

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Rollo

The whole thing is a sad joke. If people who don't care about computer parts read this, they would think we are the saddest losers on the planet for getting this bent out of shape over posts of opinions about video cards.

many who do care about comp parts think the exact same thing.
ok people. form a line so sticks can be distributed.

i can almost see the concern with pr companies planting/compensating people in forums or whatever they do, but come on! gtf over it! just think of it like adblock. you dont like what they say, ignore it by blocking it out.
oh no weve been decieved!!! its the fvkin internet.....

I'd say it's not as big a deal in a forum because you have so many informed
people who will pounce on a blatant shill.

Go buy PC Magazine for pure shilling..
Most magazines promote overpriced crap because that is what they get for free to test
and use. Not to mention Ad revenue.
Compare any shilling here to most computer mags that promote $5000 computer
systems (You could build them for $1200)

The quality of magazine articles is pure propaganda mixed with arbitrary opinion.

Compared to that I can put up with anybody here.

agreed. but anyone with half a brain over the age of 10 should be able to figure this out. its all about money.

nv wants money.
mags want money.
aeg wants money.
users want free stuff=money.

its like a buddy i have at work. he was amazed one day when some celeb was on 5 different late night and talk shows in one week. no sh!t sherlock, they are there to promote a movie, not just because they want to stare at lettermans hair.

talk show, mags, aeg; all just small cogs in the big machine to capture peoples disposable income. why is this so shocking to someone? i dont like watching celebs, so i turn off the tv. if i dont like what someone is posting in these forums, i hit the back button.

i dont like being spoon-fed what to think or buy, and i like to think i can sniff it out when thats happening. but some people like to have their hand held like that, and i say good for them. not my life, not my money. if they cant figure out whats going on for whatever reason, meh.....such is life.

You don't like being spoon fed what to think or buy? Then how is it even possible that you are a member of this forum? Because all we have here are people voicing their opinions, and most are dead serious about their opinions and will try to convince you that their opinion is right and not the other guys. So, for the most part, that's all this forum is made of. Opinionated stubborn people.

Take me for example. If I see someone post something out of whack with what I know, I will post telling them so and why. Then that person will dispute what I say, then I will follow up with a retort of my own, and this can go on forever because we both believe that we are each absolutely, and undoubtedly correct. Kind of like what RobertR1, Joker, Beggerking and Wreckage are doing right now. It will never end because none of them are the bigger person here. They are exactly the same.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

I doubt he would be scratching his head if he knew EXACTLY what you meant. And your explaination of it makes little more sense than your previous post. So, I have to scratch my head along with him.

Edit: fixed spelling.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

Maybe the fact that we only have Rollo here is because he's enough mouth to equal 3 or 4 people in other forums.

 

[Killrose]

Well if it's PR BUZZ AEG wanted, i'd say their gettin it now!!

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Wellsoul2

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: Rollo

The whole thing is a sad joke. If people who don't care about computer parts read this, they would think we are the saddest losers on the planet for getting this bent out of shape over posts of opinions about video cards.

many who do care about comp parts think the exact same thing.
ok people. form a line so sticks can be distributed.

i can almost see the concern with pr companies planting/compensating people in forums or whatever they do, but come on! gtf over it! just think of it like adblock. you dont like what they say, ignore it by blocking it out.
oh no weve been decieved!!! its the fvkin internet.....

I'd say it's not as big a deal in a forum because you have so many informed
people who will pounce on a blatant shill.

Go buy PC Magazine for pure shilling..
Most magazines promote overpriced crap because that is what they get for free to test
and use. Not to mention Ad revenue.
Compare any shilling here to most computer mags that promote $5000 computer
systems (You could build them for $1200)

The quality of magazine articles is pure propaganda mixed with arbitrary opinion.

Compared to that I can put up with anybody here.

agreed. but anyone with half a brain over the age of 10 should be able to figure this out. its all about money.

nv wants money.
mags want money.
aeg wants money.
users want free stuff=money.

its like a buddy i have at work. he was amazed one day when some celeb was on 5 different late night and talk shows in one week. no sh!t sherlock, they are there to promote a movie, not just because they want to stare at lettermans hair.

talk show, mags, aeg; all just small cogs in the big machine to capture peoples disposable income. why is this so shocking to someone? i dont like watching celebs, so i turn off the tv. if i dont like what someone is posting in these forums, i hit the back button.

i dont like being spoon-fed what to think or buy, and i like to think i can sniff it out when thats happening. but some people like to have their hand held like that, and i say good for them. not my life, not my money. if they cant figure out whats going on for whatever reason, meh.....such is life.

You don't like being spoon fed what to think or buy? Then how is it even possible that you are a member of this forum? Because all we have here are people voicing their opinions, and most are dead serious about their opinions and will try to convince you that their opinion is right and not the other guys. So, for the most part, that's all this forum is made of. Opinionated stubborn people.


reading others experiences and opinions doesnt mean you are spoon fed. i read what people post, but at the end of the day i buy what i need in my budget based on what i want. not because so-and-so said that such-and-such card is better because blah-blah makes it.

i agree on the last sentence 100%. video parallels p&n in its rabidness these days, which is why i mainly lurk instead of interjecting.

Take me for example. If I see someone post something out of whack with what I know, I will post telling them so and why. Then that person will dispute what I say, then I will follow up with a retort of my own, and this can go on forever because we both believe that we are each absolutely, and undoubtedly correct. Kind of like what RobertR1, Joker, Beggerking and Wreckage are doing right now. It will never end because none of them are the bigger person here. They are exactly the same.

exactly. which is why i wouldnt buy based soley on what i read here(which, from what i gather is the main gripe with this aeg thing, other than OMG ROLLO DIDNT YELL FROM THE ROOF TOPS THAT HE MAY HAVE A BIAS! I FEEL SO BETRAYED! that should be a given, regardless if hes under aegs wing or not). do i take it into consideration? sure, if i feel it was a fair assesment and speaks to what i need. other than that, its all just internet cock-boxing. and for what? egos and epenises...nothing more.

which is why this whole uproar and witch hunt is just silly, IMO.

but hey, i guess im guilty of beating that horse myself now.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

I doubt he would be scratching his head if he knew EXACTLY what you meant. And your explaination of it makes little more sense than your previous post. So, I have to scratch my head along with him.

Edit: fixed spelling.

/munky scratches his head...

Are you insinuating that I AM somehow affiliated with AEG?

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

I doubt he would be scratching his head if he knew EXACTLY what you meant. And your explaination of it makes little more sense than your previous post. So, I have to scratch my head along with him.

Edit: fixed spelling.

/munky scratches his head...

Are you insinuating that I AM somehow affiliated with AEG?

yes. ill light the torches. someone else grap the pitch forks.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: shimsham

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: v8envy

Originally posted by: nitromullet

And that's also why I think we don't have any AEG involvement here at AT.

<--- scratches head....

Oh you know EXACTLY what I mean. The viral marketing cell in question consists of 6 people, 3/4 of the ones we know of being respected members of the beyond3d community. I'm sure AEG monitors that community and tailors releases of hw/sw/etc to their 'beta testers' to maximize impact on that community.

We just got Rollo spilling over.

I doubt he would be scratching his head if he knew EXACTLY what you meant. And your explaination of it makes little more sense than your previous post. So, I have to scratch my head along with him.

Edit: fixed spelling.

/munky scratches his head...

Are you insinuating that I AM somehow affiliated with AEG?

yes. ill light the torches. someone else grap the pitch forks.

You're joking, right?

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: ArchAngel777

Originally posted by: crazydingo

Originally posted by: beggerking

Originally posted by: M0RPH
Wanna know what the difference is, Keys? Rollo annoyed a lot of people here with the way he incessantly tried to bash ATI at every opportunity. He antagonized a lot of people in the flamewars that he started. So all this backlash against him upon finding out he was all the while part of an Nvidia marketing program should not come as any surprise. People on the other boards didn't have to put up with his nonsense, his non-stop ATI bashing and Nvidia evangelism.

Actually, Joker is annoying me now. Lets ban him? for bashing NV at every oppertunity.. oh ya, you bash NV at every oppertunity too... lets ban everybody who doesn't agree with me...pick on them every oppertunity..

do I sound like you/joker now?

Joker isnt slanted like you falsely accuse him to be. Now we know where you are coming from.

I agree, Joker is a great guy and he isn't pro nVidia or ATI. Joker (myself and others include) are tired of the double standards used here. We seen one company get slaughtered for something and then see how some companies are exempt from it... It just isn't right. People have been bashing ATI way to much lately and I fear it is the direct result of people that have an agenda.

Someone trying to skew the facts and suggest a GTX 512 is a better card than the 1900XTX is quite frankly, on crack. Why pay $200+ more for essentially the same thing, but with a different brand? Oh wait, because they are skewing the cards towards nVidia.

Buggerking needs to get lost around here too... He is by far the most anoying person and is quite possibly on par with "Teh Turtle".

Thanks ArchAnglel and I agree, BeggerKing is nothing but a troll that tries to stir up flames. I wonder if he's been banned from here before?

 

[Ronin]

You know...glass houses and stones, Joker.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Ronin
You know...glass houses and stones, Joker.

Ronin, I never troll nor fish for flames. Whenever I post I present an argument and back it up as much as possible. For example in your comparison thread, since you left out the fact in your initial post that you are an nZone moderator I had to mention it so people that aren't familiar with AT forums know about your strong bias. I also caught you trying to pass off a timed picture of CCC loading into memory as it's standard memory usage - that is hardcore trolling.