Author Topic: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.  (Read 2227 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

hyp

  • Casual Gamer™
  • Senior Member
IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« on: December 19, 2007, 08:42:25 PM »
http://vgmwatch.com/?p=1132

IGN Editor Married to Nintendo PR Executive
Posted in Video Game Media Watch, Nintendo, IGN, Journalism by David Gornoski on the December 19th, 2007

VGMWatch.com has been able to confirm that IGN Nintendo editor Matt Casamassina is married to Golin Harris Vice President Edie Kissko. Golin Harris serves as Nintendo’s PR firm. Sources connected with both Golin Harris and IGN.com were able to validate this information. While VGMWatch has no interest in personal affairs, undisclosed conflicts of interest plaguing the game industry’s integrity cannot be ignored. To that end, there are several journalistic red flags surrounding the facts of this case.

Unfortunately, we have yet to discover any public acknowledgment from either Nintendo, Golin Harris, or IGN Entertainment informing customers of this conflict of interest. Furthermore, IGN.com has continued to allow the Nintendo channel editor to manage Nintendo product coverage. Likewise, the Golin Harris VP in question is responsible for promoting Nintendo products. Clearly, millions of IGN readers’ trust has been violated by this irresponsible abandonment of principle.

Make no mistake, people cannot help with whom they fall in love. As such, the personal integrity of the two individuals involved with this case is completely irrelevant. Indeed, it is principle and principle alone which concerns VGMWatch. The buck stops with IGN and Nintendo to address any conflicts of interest they may have. Simply put, the line between product coverage and sales should be clear and uncompromised. The mere appearance of journalistic impropriety of this magnitude should be avoided.

When game media outlets and publishers taint product coverage it hurts the industry as a whole. Gamers should not tolerate this type of gross irresponsibility. It is also completely unfair to the game publications and publishers that do practice integrity and sound business principle. Frankly, we are tired of seeing reputable industry outlets dragged into the mud due to the careless actions of others. Let’s face it, a newspaper dining critic would not be allowed to review a restaurant his/her spouse managed. If the publication was aware of the potential for conflict of interest, the journalist would most likely not even be allowed to review any restaurants in town. This is basic journalistic integrity consumers expect. The game industry deserves nothing less.

Needless to say, we are disappointed with IGN.com. However, we do want to offer some advice to the network to remedy this situation. First, we strongly urge IGN to not make the network editor a scapegoat in an effort to save face. It is the network’s responsibility to deal with these issues, not the employee. Furthermore, IGN.com should issue a public statement to its readers regarding the conflict of interest. Also, the Nintendo editor should be assigned editorial coverage that does not conflict with his/her personal relationship. We strongly urge Golin Harris/Nintendo to take similar measures on its end.

We contacted IGN and Golin Harris representatives as well as the individuals directly involved but have yet to receive an official comment. VGMWatch will continue to investigate this story and any other conflicts of interest that come to our attention.

Updated Editor’s Personal Note: I was uncomfortable publishing this story. In fact, I have been sitting on this piece for many months debating whether to run it or not. However, with the game media beginning to take a closer look at cases of corruption, it is time to address this issue. Personally, I find it sickening that these companies’ mistakes happen to be connected with personal affairs. That’s why, rightly or wrongly, I refuse to mention the two individuals’ names. After consulting with fellow journalists, I have decided to disclose the names of the individuals involved. Unfortunately, there is an element of responsibility that falls on the individuals involved as well. Nevertheless, I respect them personally and realize that marriage is a wonderful institution. Rather, my frustration is directed towards IGN, Nintendo, and Golin Harris. While it was very difficult for me to publish this type of story, I could not in good conscience continue to shelve it. I also understand that some folks inside the industry have known of this marriage already. However, it would be disingenuous for our publication to not report on such a conflict of interest for the general gaming public. Hopefully, if we continue to engage in open dialog regarding problematic issues facing game journalism we can aid this industry in its maturation.

Update: For clarity, I want to reiterate the central point of the article. This story is about full disclosure on the part of IGN and Nintendo/Golin Harris. It is utterly disrespectful to their readership to not disclose this situation. The personal integrity of the two individuals is irrelevant. It is also unnecessary to assume that there have been any competitive advantages gained with this situation. Rather, IGN and Golin Harris need to disclose this type of information directly to their readers to avoid any appearance of conflicting interests.
pyh

ferrarimanf355

  • I have the cutest car on The Bore
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2007, 08:44:21 PM »
 :gerstmann
500

Vizzys

  • green hair connoisseur
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2007, 08:45:45 PM »
yeah i cant read
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 08:48:36 PM by Viz »
萌え~

hyp

  • Casual Gamer™
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2007, 08:46:12 PM »
yea, it's kinda meh.  not as interesting as the gerstmann ordeal that's for sure.
pyh

Madrun Badrun

  • twin-anused mascot
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2007, 08:46:21 PM »
Edie?  I always though Matt was the gay type.   

Joe Molotov

  • I'm much more humble than you would understand.
  • Administrator
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2007, 08:46:32 PM »
Wait, I thought he was married to Perrin Kaplan. Did they get divorced?
©@©™

Akala

  • Easy Victor
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2007, 08:59:47 PM »
Great PR reps really go the extra mile.

brawndolicious

  • Nylonhilist
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2007, 09:14:37 PM »
that's not that big of a deal.  hasn't he been engaged for like 4 years?

besides, Matt fucking LOVES nintendo too much so I doubt this will change anything.

TakingBackSunday

  • Banana Grabber
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2007, 09:22:34 PM »
well, good for him
püp

Oblivion

  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2007, 09:29:06 PM »
This was mentioned a while ago on GAF.

Phoenix Dark

  • I got no game it's just some bitches understand my story
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2007, 09:32:23 PM »
Who fucking cares. He loves Nintendo and apparently married some who shares his childish sensibilities.
010

TakingBackSunday

  • Banana Grabber
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2007, 09:45:13 PM »
The guys a complete twat when it comes to hyping shitty nintendo announcements, but overall he's not that bad.  He's pretty open to a lot of videogames, especially 360 shit.

I don't get the extreme hate for him other than his obvious Nintendo bias.  You pretty much have to be a ninthing to write about them
püp

Flannel Boy

  • classic millennial sex pickle
  • Icon
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2007, 09:48:16 PM »
Who fucking cares. He loves Nintendo and apparently married some who shares his childish sensibilities.
Her job probably pays very well. She'd do PR for Ron Paul if it paid well. Though, she would have to accept gold bars instead of gold coins.

Trent Dole

  • the sharpest tool in the shed
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2007, 01:25:59 AM »
Wait, I thought he was married to Perrin Kaplan. Did they get divorced?
:lol :lol :lol
Hi

drohne

  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2007, 01:43:54 AM »
I don't get the extreme hate for him other than his obvious Nintendo bias.

he's basically a fat neckbearded 12 year old, with his masturbatory fantasies about MATURE ZELDA and his petulance and his ign prose. or maybe that was all implied when you called him a nintendo fan

brawndolicious

  • Nylonhilist
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2007, 01:48:50 AM »
I haven't read his mailbag in a couple years but he seemed pretty normal.  I read a few of his reviews and they were mostly fair.

Smooth Groove

  • Both teams played hard, my man
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2007, 01:51:21 AM »
I don't get the extreme hate for him other than his obvious Nintendo bias.

he's basically a fat neckbearded 12 year old, with his masturbatory fantasies about MATURE ZELDA and his petulance and his ign prose. or maybe that was all implied when you called him a nintendo fan

Well, he still got married which is better than most of the smug "I'm not a nerd" posters at GAF.  Not talking about you though. 

Oblivion

  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #17 on: December 20, 2007, 02:44:01 AM »
Aside from him making up stuff like Halo DS, Matt's a pretty cool duder. Met him at E3 last year and seemed pretty decent. And he's hardly soft on Nintendo overall, he still complains to this day in his podcast about Wii being a GC turbo.

brawndolicious

  • Nylonhilist
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #18 on: December 20, 2007, 03:23:11 AM »
there was a halo ds.

Vizzys

  • green hair connoisseur
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #19 on: December 20, 2007, 04:07:11 AM »
there was a halo ds.

it looked pretty good too, shame
萌え~

brawndolicious

  • Nylonhilist
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #20 on: December 20, 2007, 04:24:40 AM »
ds fps tho.

TakingBackSunday

  • Banana Grabber
  • Senior Member
Re: IGN's turn: Cassamassisssamassina-mania.
« Reply #21 on: December 20, 2007, 11:12:59 AM »
I don't get the extreme hate for him other than his obvious Nintendo bias.

he's basically a fat neckbearded 12 year old, with his masturbatory fantasies about MATURE ZELDA and his petulance and his ign prose. or maybe that was all implied when you called him a nintendo fan

Well, yeah.  But he's better than most.
püp