I'm sure I'll be hearing this one at parties for months: 19 percent of American marketers say their organizations have bought advertising in return for a news story, according to a survey by PR firm Manning Selvage & Lee. 1 in 12 say they've sent a gift to an editor or producer to place a news story. 1 in 10 say they have an "unspoken agreement" to trade coverage for ad buys. Take a few seconds to pump your fist and shout I knew it! Now spot the hole in this story: Marketing people don't meet with editors. Marketers meet with the sharks from ad sales, who'll tell them whatever opens their checkbooks. 1 in 5 American marketers has totally been had. (Photo by yomanimus)

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