Hi Francis,
I was wondering whether you’d be interested in selling advertising space on Ss-Burnout.com? The advertisement would be unobtrusive and we can pay you an annual upfront payment for the advertising space.
Uh-huh. Unobtrusive ads? Annual upfront payment? Riiiiight.
We can also provide guest blog posts from industry experts in many cases.
I’m allergic to buzzwords. There’s a few here already.
I am from Media Discovery, a new media agency headquartered in the UK. We plan out and acquire advertising space on major websites and portals, as well as smaller niche sites. I personally deal with our smaller publishers, increasing brand awareness and share of voice for the major brands that our group works with.
Crikey. More buzzwords. Major brands? Like who?
We’d love to work with your site. If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to email me directly.
Kind Regards,
Ronnie Vargas
ronnie.vargas@mediadiscovery.com
If you ask me, this whole thing sounds hokey and weird. Any of our readers have any experience with this dude, or this company?
Edit 4/4/13 – It seems that I’m not the only one that’s been contacted by this company. For those of you that found this page via google, I highly recommend looking at the comments below. They’ve posted some good stuff.
Well there’s a coincidence… Just got a similar mail myself and the power of google suggests I am not the only one. Quasi legit maybe but the ain’t “new” – they have been around a while and sending similar mails for a few years now. There must be a internet version of caveat emptor surely
Nigel
Some of the stuff I’ve seen suggests that they pay websites to write up “editorials” or something to that effect that puts whatever products they sell in a positive light, and since it’s on a blog, it’s not advertising, so IT MUST BE TRUE!
Well, I e-mailed that dude back and never got a response. Either he saw me run this piece, or any replies got sent to my junk mail.
Yeah – found that too
By way of further entertainment the IP address that was the source of the email and the sender’s IP address resolved to the Philippines – that sounds good for a UK company doesn’t it
Equally anyone interested should google the company domain on WOT (web of trust) website – cannot be called reassuring. We live and learn – cheers
Thank-you for writing this post. I got one too http://www.sevensixtytwo.net
It would ruin the site by what I’ve read here, I’ve asked them what they think they could offer… But they seem to have no real clients??
Glad I found you, just got the same email!
I’m thinking they have a spider that searches for sites that run WordPress or Blogger or similar types of blogging tools, then send out mass e-mails using the info from a whois query on the sites, and then, if they get a response on the e-mail, do an eye-ball check to see if the site can be used for their purposes, which I believe may include the authoring of blog posts by “guest writers” that has links that promote their clients. I just answered one of their letters, with a request to view one of the sites that have incorporated their ads, so I can have a look-see.
Lemme know what you find. I’m interested in doing a follow-up with these guys, but they seem to be awfully tight-lipped.
We got buzzed by them too over at gamersaurs,com, and we wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. It’s listed as a dormant company at Company’s House and I also found this blog post http://janileinonen.com/en/2012/09/buy-this-blog/ from someone who actually heard back from them – they hadn’t looked at her blog at all and wanted to advertise online gambling. Stay well clear. Also, they emailed ‘info@gamersaurs.com’ which doesn’t exist but which was picked up by our email client’s catch all, so I think they are definitely using the kind of methods Ron describes above.
Yikes. I’m going to cook somethin’ up, just for them.
This is the e-mail reply I got for a request for a sample page. The link on the sample page seems fairly innocuous, I don’t see any redirection to another site, and I couldn’t tell from a cursory glance if there was any malicious JavaScript running behind the scenes. Could be on the up-and-up, but it sounds like the topic of your blog has to fit one of their clients (i.e., an automobile-centered site for their JD Powers client), before they’ll take you. I’m surprised that they’d pay $125 per year for just one link on your site, though. I did a search on the sample site and could only find one instance of the J.D. Power advertising link. Still undecided if I should take them up on their offer. I feel better knowing that I could code the link myself instead of leaving it up to them, but I doubt my site (geefamily.net) would meet any of their clients’ requirements or have enough traffic for them. It’s just a place where I can display my pictures and what’s going on with my family.
—————-
Hi Ron,
Thanks for getting back to me. I’m more than happy to provide a few more details.
We can supply you with either a custom written piece of content that you can publish on a new page of your website. Or you can write a new page yourself and include our clients’ advert within this page.
Take a look at our sample page: http://www.mycarreviews.co.uk/citroen-c4-review/ (The text advert here is “J.D. Power” located in the 3rd paragraph.)
Working with a telecommunications, beauty, health, tourism or finance client would ensure you would get 125 USD per year.
Working with an online gaming client (poker, casino, bingo etc) would ensure you would get 140 USD per year.
Let me know which interests you so I can have your site assessed by our Technical team. Also note what client you’d prefer and if you would rather write the new page yourself, or have me send over a custom written article for your site created by our content team.
Many Thanks,
Ana
I just got the same email. I’m extremely excited to finally be able to advertise gambling on my site, it will add that classy touch I could never quite get under my own steam. I’m going to spend my $125 on four cases of beer.
True class
LMAO
LOL. I received the exact same e-mail today (ClosedTheCover.com) I was pretty certain it was pure crap just from reading through it. Anyone seeking a legitimate reply would have provided more specific information upfront. Thanks for sharing this!
I am also approached. My site can never be of interest to them (‘a client in the gaming industry’) and it seems they are using different names constantly. I was approached by an Alison Graham. Just wondering what they are after? Will follow this discussion, hopefully this will lead to something.
I confess I couldn’t be arsed to reply even having read around places about them. Bit like most spam attempts I can’t really see what the expect to achieve but that doesn’t seem to stop the spammers so maybe I should start trying it…;)
Like reverse-trolling those Nigerian Scammers? Hm…
I got the same email and response as above in a second email but they didn’t answer all my questions in the second email. They didn’t answer how they found me and why they are interested in my site. They didn’t answer if payment would be through Paypal.
I emailed them after their second response to ask if I would be able to pick the add and make sure it fits with my niche and it price was negotiable. I haven’t heard back. I also find it interesting that everyone seems to be offered a different pay for the same thing…
I know one person who went with them and did get payed, she had to agree to have the post in her archives for a year but she said she doesn’t know what would come of it if she didn’t. I’m skeptical and will not compromise the integrity of my blog and it’s sensitive content.
Yeah, judging by what your handle is, I don’t think advertising a casino seems to be the right thing to do.
I got another response today to my email. They are asking their advertiser about negotiating pay, and I have the final say as to what add I would allow. I’ll keep you updated on the conversations, they were also asking me if I knew of other blog. I did not give them that.
Dutch newspaper NRC featured this and similar companies. The dilemma is the same for all commentators, in print or online: should you deceive your reader? Presumably you will lose your reputation once a reader finds out the link is an advert, as footballer Wayne Rooney found out when his tweet contained a link to a Nike advert without mentioning this. Nike was ticked off for it by the advertsing standards authority. There are numerous companies offering this service, some will insist on including “#ad” or “#paid”. In the end, serious bloggers like to remain independent and retain their dignity.
Truth. I know that if I had to advertise something, I’d do it so off-the-wall that nobody would take it seriously. Actually, maybe I should contact those Media Discovery guys….
Just got an email from Alison Graham, too. I was excited until my awesome friend sent me here. Curse these people and their false hope!
Hey, you might actually get paid! Spend that money on beer!
Thanks for the post about this. I just recieved the same email from ‘Tomas Lambert | tomas.lambert@mediadiscovery.com‘. They definitely got me email from the whois, as I don’t have it listed on my site. I agree sounds scammy, not even worth a reply.
Thanks. Been in email correspondence with them over the last few days – seemed like really fishy business, so glad you posted this!
I say take the money and spend it on booze, then write up another story tellin’ everyone how you got that WORDPRESS MONEY.
Thanks for the post, I also got the email and Google brought me here. Not sure if I should reply or not. I got a similar one a few years ago (don’t think it was from this crowd though) and ended up with a weird blog post with a link to a casino gambling website, but I did get paid for it. So you never know.
Thanks so much for posting on this–I was also recently approached like many others for my blog (TheSpicyBee.com)–by ronnie.vargas@mediadiscovery.com. I thought it was phishy but my husband said it sounded better written than some of the other offers I’ve gotten in the past so I replied that I had to think about it further and then found this–thank you for leaving the comments open for us to add to. I’m saddened that companies think they can win over writers so easily. I’ll keep my blog to myself thanks.
hi , i just got an email from vicky at media discovery to put an blog on my http://www.gunsforsale.co.uk website , but the funny thing is i dont have a blog yet. so i guess it is spam. i have read so many other reviews about this medya discovery in uk crap.
Hey blog-nerds, I got the exact same emails — including the same response that @crouchingbruin received. The only difference is that they offered me 150 USD.
CHUH-CHING.
Avoid this one. Too scammy for my tastes.
Sounds like these people have been busy in the last couple of months. I received the same e-mail from Media Discovery and they offered us $180 for ads on our website and $200 for on-line gambling. I answered for more information and was very specific about what type of ads I might consider as we are a travel guide website and blog. I flatly turned down any gambling on-line sites – they are illegal for one thing in our state. This sounds like “If it sounds too good to be true- it probably is”. I spent too much time and money setting up my sites to mess them up for chunk change.
they’re raising their prices!
I’m so glad I found this post! As much as I need money right now, i’m sure I can find some other way to make it.
general rule: if they use Hi/Dear Sir or Madam….its a f-ing scam.
Yep, sounds weird . Not only buzzwords but the language skills sound Nigerian.,like they would ask for access, then offer a service to improve yer site . Or pirate it and…
Anyway , it is definitely a time waster. Your dollar earned per hour of playing with these guys in their sandbox is less than buying drinks for uer buddies..
Someone called Alice Bell contacted me and they placed an ‘advert’ on my blog http://www.theoddballenglish.com (see under Reveiws and Media). The advert was actually an editorial on something called Foxybingo – it soon became lost in my blog postings. And they paid me $150 into my Paypal account. They didn’t ask for an invoice and my blog only gets less than 100 hits a week. They’ve now asked me for more website addresses and they will pay me and I can pay the webmasters of the recommended sites. All a bit odd, but I did get paid.
They are definitely not running a spider or a bot focused on WordPress or similar websites with that kind of CMS back end. We run http://www.robfest.nl which serves information about a regional (Eersel, town in the south of Holland) open air alternative music festival. Self written CMS (I’m in ICT) which is only used on a couple of other websites. The email from address is ana.valdez@mediadiscovery.com. The domain traces to the UK, and their website seems legitimate. Next to that their English is (as far as I can tell, it’s not my native language) correct. Just send an email back, and I’m curious about their response. Will keep you guys posted.
Sorry for the double post, internet seems to be shitty..
Yes, I received the same exact message from an Alison Graham. Sent a reply…never got a response.
I got an inquiry today through my web site’s contact form from a doris.fuller@mediadiscovery.com. I kind of wish I hadn’t emailed back, even if I did turn them down immediately.
It’s not like they can do anything else. Still though, that 150 dollars can go a long way!
I was contacted about a year ago by Ana Alison for same thing and refused to link gambling to my site (stephenc.co.za). The same Ana has contacted me (Dear Stephen…) again in the last two weeks asking if I have changed my mind. I haven’t. I’d look further into their offer provided I was advertising something that added value to life.
I am intrigued by all the Alison and Ana type names they use….Alison Graham, Ana Alison, Ana Valdez, Alice Bell….
Cheers
Stephen
I received a reply about two weeks ago, but totally forgot about it, and never send an email back. Now I received an email again a few hours ago, where they are offering even more money ($150,- instead of $100,-). Although it seems ok, and it looks to me like it’s rather easy to not place the ad if they don’t pay, I concluded that I won’t be replying to their latest offer.