Ad Age Changes Discussion Policy

Apparently anonymous comments are now completely acceptable to Ad Age. Or, as one unnamed writer said to me, their comments were boring and they needed to do something.

But in all seriousness, what do you think about Ad Age going to anonymous commenting? Will it spark intense debate on issues now that people don't have to worry about their employers reading, or will Ad Age editors just be overworked deleting the flame wars. ;-)

Intriguing also the new structure for commenting to each other in the comment threads. Haven't played much with this yet, but I'm interested to see how that plays out. Not sure I understand what changes they have actually made there.

Tags: ad+age, beancast, marketing+podcast, the+beancast

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hall on March 26, 2009 at 9:31pm

I don't like anonymous comments. Though people comment anonymously all the time just using fake names and fake email addresses. I just think there should at least be some kind of encouragement that comments come from real people and thay they own up to them

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Permalink Reply by Bob Knorpp on March 26, 2009 at 10:25pm

I'm kind of the same opinion. But having said that, there's definitely risk involved with commenting honestly under your own name, on one of the most read industry news sites. Kind of steers comments to the vanilla, except from those of us not beholden to an employer.

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Permalink Reply by Buddy 'Friendly' Wachenheimer on March 27, 2009 at 9:31am

STEVE: in a dream world I might tend to agree with you, but I'm a realist, who is more concerned with reality and facts. Neither of which rarely comes from real people, working for real employers, with real responsibilities, real bills to pay, governed by their self perceived reputations; all of which might not get served if they were ever brave enough and honest enough to get real. That is why non reality reins supreme from all the frightened-envious-insecure-egos-lacking-true-discernment, who are too frightened or just not equipped to own up to anything real. You know who I mean, the vast majority of the population in our industry, the: "Gypsies, tramps, and thieves"...(and liars).

BOB: """Ad Age is going to anonymous commenting? Will it spark intense debate on issues now that people don't have to worry about their employers reading, or will Ad Age editors just be overworked deleting the flame wars. ;-)""" . . .Both no doubt, and more! But any way is better than what they have now, NON REALITY.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Durwin on March 30, 2009 at 4:49pm

I think it is fine. It's such a pain to remember all kinds of logins, or to have to sign up to post something. A comment isn't less legit if it's anonymous. Not to mention that many may be able to make comments about what is gong on behind the scenes with a brand or campaign, but wouldn't if they had to share their identities. Comments, whether attached to an identity or not, come from real people, some with an agenda, some without. Most can see through obvious plugs.