Very much so subliminally because they could very well be people you have posted with here or on KVR or on GS or a number of others. 1 comment about how X sucks for A, B and C reasons while Y is the best for D, E and F reasons. Its far more the norm than not and has been changing the last 4-5 years too. I'm not going to air any competitors dirty laundry for many reasons, but primarily not to appear salty towards the situation. We just prefer to not work like that.

Every company has street ambassadors. Most are very undercover about it. Native Instruments have the most as far as I know but I know Waves and a couple other big names do it also. 

I hate social media manipulation because it's insidious; you often cannot discern the difference between a sock puppet and a genuine fanboy. But it's fun trying.

Consider this recent post on KVR:

Received an e-mail about this crazy promotion Crysonic is having until friday. Almost didn't believe it but it turns out it is real. 98% discount on their plugin bundle. HURRY. Really a no-brainer!
http://www.crysonic.com/plugins.html

What do you think? Sock puppet or somebody just trying to get the word out?

HINT: it helps to know some history about the particular company being touted. 

Makes you wonder...

done few videos on waves plugins ...lol ....even people thought i was one of them ....

lol 

but i work for IK !! lol (joking here of course) ....

Is tehre an IK team Obi ?  lol

We are working on something for IK Supporters. We are trying to work on a program for these select few. It would be by invite only and provide them with sneak peaks to upcoming products, possible beta testing with a few other perks, but its still being worked out.

I'm guessing most of us on this board will not be receiving invitations.

Possibly. Its not for posting really, we have that covered with Peter and I. It'll be for other things we could always use help with like videos on YouTube or help making graphics/memes for Facebook and of course help with Beta testing. (That last part is still up in the air though. We like keeping our projects super top secret and we're still figuring that part out)

 Oh my, the specter of they walk among us. I'm glad it's not just me thinking this...

 I do commend IK and Obi for their open and honest way