Netflix caught using actors to simulate "interested public" at Canadian launch event

[JBoy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/netflix-apologizes-for-using-actors-to-meet-press-at-canadian-launch/article1718924/

Video-streaming website Netflix Inc. (NFLX-Q156.939.736.61%) closed down a Toronto street Wednesday and attracted dozens of onlookers for a splashy launch to promote its highly anticipated foray into Canada.

Problem is, many of those in the crowd were actors who were paid to be there. Many of the “extras” on hand were interviewed by journalists, who didn't realize they weren't real consumers interested in the product.

As a news conference was kicking off to announce Netflix's service — which uses the Internet to stream unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV shows for $7.99 a month — extras were asked to spill into the street and encouraged to “play types, for example, mothers, film buffs, tech geeks, couch potatoes etc.”

“Extras are to behave as members of the public, out and about enjoying their day-to-day life, who happen upon a street event for Netflix and stop by to check it out,” reads an information sheet handed out to extras. “Extras are to look really excited, particularly if asked by media to do any interviews about the prospect of Netflix in Canada.”

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Fuckers.

[realisticphish]

1. pointless

netflix is legitimately pretty awesome, so why did they need to do a stunt?

[tkmorris]

2. ^^What you said^^

It sounds like this was a pretty bad idea but I don't care much. Netflix is fantastic.

[blogslut]

6. The Canadians I know

...have been waiting for years for Netflix. There's a "competitor" called Zip.ca, but my friends from Canada tell me it's pretty awful. I don't why Netflix felt the need to manufacture interest.

[Ian David]

3. Standard procedure, except for giving interviews to the media under false pretenses. n/t

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Snake-oil salesmen used that tactic back in the day

I don't understand why Netflix feels such chicanery is necessary to sell their services.

[valerief]

5. So what? It's called promoting your product. nt

[Drale]

7. Netflix

is cool, and I would still be doing it if they had a good selection of blu rays but they dont.

[Rex]

8. Really I don't see the problem, most pundits are bad actors portraying

real journalists.

[elocs]

9. Netflix is the absolute best band for my entertainment dollar that I've ever gotten.

I regularly read of people singing its praises here at DU.