January 25, 2007

The Blogger and the Chocolate Factory

Here's an interesting story out of Dallas about how a bad review on a blog can impact a company's image:

Last month, an anonymous Internet blogger launched a 10-part series concluding that Noka Chocolate, whose expensive confections have turned up at Hollywood parties and a posh Las Vegas hotel, is not worth its high-end price. The report, released just ahead of the critical holiday sales season, put the Plano company on the defensive about its manufacturing processes. At least 10 consumer-focused Web sites and blogs have linked to the report on DallasFood.org.

Whether chocolate that sells for more than $20 a bite represents a good value may be a question only the very rich - or the very generous -can decide. But some blogging and journalism experts say the controversy demonstrates the impact an online report can have on a company's reputation - and eventually on its bottom line.