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I read that you can hire ordinary people to go out and spread the word about a brand, although they don't exactly tell the friends that they're evangelising to that they're on payroll!

Does anyone know what this marketing technique is called and if there are any agencies that specialise in it?

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Any time your marketing plan involves deceit I think you should rethink it.

Building trust and likability for your brand is more important than the "quick hits" you might get from this tactic.

I think integrity and profit aren't mutually exclusive, in fact they usually go hand in hand.

I know I didn't answer your question, but really I would rethink that approach. If you have something that's good, people will evangelise your brand honestly and without pay.

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Deceit is a strong word. Are all forms of advertising deceitful? Is a really plumped up photo of a McDonald's burger, deceitful? Is an auto mist spraying system to make fruit and veg look shiny in Safeway, deceitful? – Luke Puplett Nov 20 '12 at 16:44
I think it's an accurate word in this case. As for other examples, none of those are going to effect how I run my business. I don't care if others use "questionable" tactics, I won't. What they do has no impact on my choice like that. – Joel Friedlaender Nov 20 '12 at 22:02

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