Rumor: Sina Microblog Gifts Celebrities with Premium Membership
Techweb, 6/29/12
Renowned columnist and magazine publisher Hung Huang posted an update to her Sina (Nasdaq: SINA) Weibo microblog account today saying "How come I've got a crown next to my name all of a sudden?" Commenters replied that Hung "got membered" - i.e., was made a premium member of Weibo by Sina without her knowledge or payment for the service. A number of Weibo users claim that Weibo offers free premium member status to celebrity microbloggers in order to increase the visibility of its premium membership service.
Popular science writer and anti-fraud crusader Fang Zhouzi was another high-profile Weibo user surprised to find himself suddenly "crowned" a premium member. "So I've got this crown that someone left for me," he said in a Weibo posting three days ago. Teen heartthrob Han Han, who Fang has accused of plagiarism, is also a premium member.
The recently announced service grants Weibo users premium member status for RMB 10 per month. The first privilege offered premium members is a "crown" icon next to their screennames to indicate their special status.
Editor's Note: For more information on this topic, please see "Sina Microblog Launches Premium Membership Service," MD 6/18/12 issue.
Keywords: Hung Huang Fang Zhouzi Internet Sina Han Han microblogging
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