Via this entry on the MIT’s Advertising Lab (Link) comes news of exactly what I warned about: user-created content that bites the hand feeding it raw materials.

Back in November I commented on BusinessWeek’s Blogspotting regarding Burger King’s viral video. That comment generated quite a bit of traffic and it forewarns of this sort of situation. From that earlier comment (Link):

How many seemingly well-meaning contributors will purposely include hidden racist messages, pornagraphic content, or other unwelcome surprises intended to tarnish a corporate image?
…
I’d suggest company officers tread lightly. Nothing would make some griefers happier than costing some “suit” his job and becoming an online celeb in the process.

Told ya so.

If you’re a content creator, this has to make you happy as it definitely shows that Free Content has its own price.

You can find more Tahoe videos via Daily Kos (Link).

{For those unfamiliar with embedded video, simply click on the above image and it should play.}