Comments on: Product: Cocoa Farm Shiraz Infused Wine Chocolate Barrels

By: So this marketing company sent me some free juice and all they got was this lousy blog post — Progressive Dinner Party

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:06:14 +0000

[...] obvious when a dozen blogs all review/have giveaways of the same product within a couple of weeks, as Duncan from Syrup and Tang pointed out when the gauche marketers for shiraz chocolates offered a prize for the “best review” of their [...]

By: Lorraine E

Lorraine E — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:35:35 +0000

Haha that's great that you were honest. I got the email from them but the "offer" didn't appeal to me at all.

I think their marketing people, whilst it's good that they're thinking of talking to bloggers, just have it all wrong. Send it to us and if we like it we can talk about it but entering a comp if we write the most gushing review about it is just wrong. Just my 2c of course

By: Thanh

Thanh — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:09:10 +0000

Well I really like Cocoa Farm Shiraz chocolates too and have been addicted to it for years…..

Nah, just kidding!

I've never heard of the stuff. However, I was intrigued with shiraz chocolates at some of the wineries and fine foods stores over in South Australia. They were really expensive so I didn't buy them. I thought I can just eat a piece of good chocolate and drink my shiraz at the same time.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:54:17 +0000

Someone suggested to me that the pro-Cocoa Farm commenter "dick" (comment no.5) might be a marketing person. I wasn't particularly concerned, but this morning I did a little investigation. There *is* certainly a person working for a large advertising/marketing agency with this guy's name (disclosed on the comment form). Could just be coincidence, but the name isn't a common one. Maybe he does just like this chocolate. But otherwise I'd say: ahhhh, the clumsy ways of propagandists.

By: nzm

nzm — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:42:28 +0000

Laughing out loud at your review, Duncan: a fine mix of tact, diplomacy and understatement with an essence of not selling out!

These product review incentive prizes were hot on the Dubai PR/newspaper scene a couple of years ago. Luckily, they didn't catch on, after being trashed by creditable journos who wouldn't sell their souls, nor tarnish their reps.

Let the products speak for themselves. Sure, send out freebies, but don't "incentivise" by trying to buy positive reviews.

By: Y

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:09:22 +0000

I haven't seen any other "reviews" for their product.. just wondering how many other people decided to write up about it. I've tried the chocolate before – they were handing out samples at Macro – but didn't really feel compelled to buy any after tasting.

By: Little Red Dot

Little Red Dot — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:49:17 +0000

No more freebies for you.

Next!

By: Amelita (Squishy)

Amelita (Squishy) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:34:18 +0000

I love your honesty.

By: dick

dick — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:50:23 +0000

Well I have to disagree with the various comments about Cocoa Farm chocolates.
I'm hooked and have been for some time! (and I like good chocolate, I don't see the average block in a milk bar and think it's the pinnacle).
Guess we all have different taste buds.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:08:54 +0000

Thanks for the honest review with disclosure. I've seen their bars around for a while and wondered what they would be like but was suspicious because it all seemed a bit elaborate.