Should content creators disclose that they have a business relationship with Kabam?

I wanted to get the opinion of the community on whether they believe content creators should inform their viewers when they begin any paid work for Kabam? The reason I personally believe there's a case for it, is for transparency and ethics. If people are aware of the relationship it allows them to make better decisions about the content they are watching.
I know DLL and MSD did this voluntarily and I feel like it's the right thing to do, but I didn't know whether that's the minority position and that players prefer remaining ignorant about it - ignorance is bliss kinda thing.

Comments

Skunkcabbage

Let's keep the discussions polite and professional, don't want any personal stuff brought in, just want to get a measure of the PRINCIPLE of "should it be disclosed"?

Also would be good to know whether Kabam has any policy on this - because ethically if they do/don't have a stipulation on it, then that is important too.

JESUSCHRIST

Should forum users who consistently defend Kabam also disclose whether they get any benefits from Kabam?

JESUSCHRIST

The short answer is No

It's their private business

Average_Desi

For every comment defending Kabam, we get 1 unit.

Skunkcabbage

That's a different discussion IMO - YouTubers can send a message to 10,000+ people in just one video and if they are minimising issues, amplifying accomplishments and controlling how players view the game that's effectively marketing. Ethical marketing should be transparent in my view.
A typical forum user have far less influence than a YouTuber - and if we immediately see that their conduct is malign we can just click "hide" whereas a YouTuber who we follow is far more pervasive with the drip feeding of influence.

Then we take into account that on the forum, text is not rich in communication, compared to a video where tone/pitch/cadence/timing/inflections etc send a very rich amount of information and influence to the viewer.

Skunkcabbage

Thanks for your input. I'm also interested to know what you think of the "conflict of interest" argument. Does what the YouTuber wants trump it? Or is conflict of interest not really a factor?

Not trying to change your mind, just asking for more info. I do have my mind changed on things if/when I get new/more information.

JESUSCHRIST

You are exaggerating their influence

MCOC youtubers struggle to get views, their videos get 4 digits views per video, compared to other type of content creators with 6 digits views per video

Mixtapevol02

Just stop worrying what others are doing and just play the game. If YouTubers are influencing you on how you should play or spend on this game, then you are watching too much.

Skunkcabbage

So ultimately it's a question of how many people they influence kinda thing? 4 digits isn't enough to cross the threshold, but 6 digits, on the other hand would? (Sorry if I'm paraphrasing incorrectly)

JESUSCHRIST

Whatever working relationship Kabam has with content creators can be a 1 off project, so any declaration is simply too much red tape for content creators who aren't answerable to viewers

JESUSCHRIST

Content creators aren't answerable to their viewers

It's up to them if they want to say that the food they just reviewed was sponsored by the restaurant

Even if they don't say, they don't have any legal obligations to do so

arifin74

Who manipulated and broke your heart bro!! ? Say the name

Skunkcabbage

So just a 1-off project shouldn't be disclosed? Understood. What about if the 1-off project lasted 12 months, would that then qualify?

Also, are you saying 2 separate 1-off projects would be the point that viewers should be told?

(Also just wanted to mention, it can just be a post on their community tab "Hi all, wanted to share some great news that I'm doing some work with Kabam" - really doesn't need to involve a ton of red tape)

Finally, content creators don't have to answer to their viewers, that's true - but it'll end up in them losing their viewers as they would alienate them.

smdam38

Come on, nobody cares about that.

Skunkcabbage

Bruh 😂 This thread is just literally the principle and what the community thinks.

It's also giving some good discussion about where the "line" is for people.

Skunkcabbage

Thanks for your feedback, did you also vote?

JESUSCHRIST

Content creators don't have legal obligations to tell you if the food they just reviewed was sponsored by the restaurant

Similarly MCOC youtubers don't have to tell you that they have been invited to an exclusive event at the Kabam HQ where they get exclusive news about the game and any benefits they get from Kabam

JESUSCHRIST

Bcos they signed non disclosure agreement with Kabam

Viewers have no legal standing to demand any disclosure or information from the content creators

JESUSCHRIST

Any disclosure is always on a voluntary basis

Average_Desi

That's not what NDA is. You can say you signed an NDA. That does not violate NDA.

JESUSCHRIST

I did not say anyone cannot say they signed an NDA if you read what I wrote

JESUSCHRIST

Say you signed NDA with Kabam and Kabam tells you the new champions for the next 12 months so you can produce videos in advance periodically for them

You can't reveal all the new champions right now bcos it's company secrets, you will get sued by the terms of the NDA

Skunkcabbage

Yep, the viewer has no legal standing in relation to this (I believe). In other situations like where YouTubers have promoted crypto and their viewers lost their money, there's been legal action - but that's a very different situation IMO.

I think it would depends on the wording of the NDA itself, that's why I also wanted to hear Kabam's perspective on this one because it's relevant.

I'd imagine they would be in favor of disclosure to avoid the damage to their brand with any implications of unethical behavior, but we'd need to hear from them.

I don't think this is commercially sensitive information that would give a competitor an advantage over Kabam in itself, and should be in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, or Charter of Values.

Skunkcabbage

Yeah I think it would need to be voluntary, nobody can force someone to do it, but getting the opinion of the community on it was where I was seeking feedback and viewpoints.

Vendemiaire

YouTube is implementing this policy. Creators must disclose sponsorship and paid deals especially on product placements. I think most of the CCP are aware of this.

JESUSCHRIST

Players have no legal standing to demand that Kabam disclose whatever working relationship they have with any content creators

JESUSCHRIST

Even for those participating in content creator program, not everyone was invited to the exclusive event

Kabam told them not to shout out loud that they are invited

Skunkcabbage

But as a viewer, do you think the content creator should disclose it? I.e. would you want to know/be informed?

JESUSCHRIST

It's up to the content creator whatever they want to disclose

I don't care if they say or don't say anything

Skunkcabbage

Okay so you have no preference whether you know or not, and are kinda indifferent. Got it. 👌