Is it ok for parks to infiltrate this web site with paid, untruthful msg posters?

Disingenuous? No doubt. Stupid? Not so sure. ROI apparently is....TBD.

Companies sure did seem to find it worthwhile to try and "fix" Wikipedia...

I won't and we shouldn't put it past marketing to pull stupid stuff like that. However, does it actually work? No. It's pretty easy for anyone who visits these forums with any kind of regularity to pick out people who suddenly appear with "inside information", shady sources, and a low post-count. Plants or not, they generally get the credibility they deserve: none.

Parks that really have it together get or allow their employees to join enthusiast forums. Paula Werne from Holiday World and John Fetterman from Knoebels instantly spring to mind. They both participate in discussions, answer questions about their parks and its attractions, and yes, when appropriate, they help generate excitement in their park and its attractions. Raise your hand if you'd rather they didn't.

That's what I thought.

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Geewhzz said:
Hmm....this reminds me of people saying this sort of thing happens about upcoming movies on imdb.com as well. People claiming to have seen a movie and do a super positive review on it, or posting on the boards hyping up the movie.

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The generic term for this kind of thing (faking grass-roots campaigns) is "Astroturfing".

I just find it incredibly lame that someone would accuse Hersheypark of using plants to generate excitement about their many attractions and family-friendly atmosphere. I for one intend to get back to Hersheypark as soon as possible. It really is one of the best destinations in North America. With great rides and tremendous travel value, Hersheypark truly does have something for everyone. And just wait until next year's new surprise is announced. It's guaranteed to blow your socks off!

Fyi, HERCO does not monitor this site 24/7.

Does Hersheypark pay off Jeff in Hershey's Kisses or Reese's Pieces? I'm betting Lord Gonchar takes his in Heath bars. :)

(Yes, I know that technically the park is seperate from the candy company, but both are owned by the same trust)

Well for what it's worth, my share comes in the form of Cacao Reserve Dark (65% and higher)

*** Edited 9/9/2007 11:39:18 PM UTC by GregLeg***

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Richie Reflux said:
Coasterguts - - - > I would venture to guess that the initial poster was an intern or producer type...though a typical college student wouldn't end his/her post with "What say you."

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Yep... I realize that. However, I would use the term college student loosely!

Dexter - - - > I first heard that term during the Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

Gator & Gregleg & BBSpeed26- - - > I agree! Paula and John have proven themselves to be very credible sources who offer quality and often entertaining posts.

I just have a connection to radio as a professional and as a hobbyist, so the initial post really touched a nerve. I am no longer in radio syndication, but I used to be (for over a decade) as a technician and a producer.

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thedonandmikeshow said:
making a business practice of creating unrevealed self sponsored websites and fake forum posts in attempt to increase their sales and to fake customer satisfaction

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First off, what self-sponsored websites would they be? As far as I know, Hersheypark--and just the amusement park--only has one website.

Two, why would a park like Hershey need to generate fake forum posts and fake customer satisfaction? It's not like the park is falling apart, that their products don't work, or that their staff stinks.

Are you guys talking about the Nantami website? Do you think Hershey created that? Otherwise, I'm confused as to what this whole thread is about.

That's why I asked for specific examples. Natami doesn't seem to be directly Hershey related, and from what I remember the poster who originally linked to that site was a long-time CB member, not some new account that was created for "astroturfing".

If it's Hershey's doing it's a somewhat cool viral marketing thing, I guess.

If it's just some weird fanboy stuff somebody has a lot of time on their hands. *** Edited 9/10/2007 2:13:49 AM UTC by matt.***

LMAO! This thread is hilarious. I feel a conspiracy! Oh the HORROR!

;)

-Tina

This a coaster site, right?

Does it really matter where the info about new attractions and rides come from?

God knows, if the info is shaky or anything, the poster will get fried here.

Having said that, I'm surprised this one hasn't been hijacked yet.
;)

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Intamin Fan said:
...why would a park like Hershey need to generate fake forum posts and fake customer satisfaction?

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To pacify the same 100 people who post here frequently and account for .0001% of Hershey's annual visitor count, of course. That would be a great use of their time, obviously.

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FLYINGSCOOTER said:
This a coaster site, right?

Does it really matter where the info about new attractions and rides come from?

God knows, if the info is shaky or anything, the poster will get fried here.

Having said that, I'm surprised this one hasn't been hijacked yet.

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Thanks Scooter! I couldn't...ooops! sorry, I didn't realize I was in bold.

Anyway, I agree totally with Scooter. I keep wanting to think this is some joke, but apparently he's serious. And needs to get off the caffeine, or something.

luckily as mentioned before, it is easy to fry the people that post unsubtantiated claims. The truth prevails. It's unfortunate that we doubt the integrity of the posters on CB, but consipiracy or not...we're still doing the right thing by questioning every post.