How IBM feeds media
By Sameer

In April 2010, technology giant IBM reported revenue of $23 Billion for the last 3 months.  While revenue was up 5 percent, the net income jumped to $2.6 Billion up 13 percent.  The quarterly report also said there was a Services backlog of $134 billion, up $8 billion year to year.  IBM is doing well.

IBM is one of the most respected brands in the world.  It has good management that has ensured the profits have remained stable even during the global recession.  So, one would expect IBM to be comfortable in its own skin and not go out of its way to harm rivals.

IDG is one of the most successful technology, media, research and events company.  Its publications include CIO, Computerworld, Demo, GamesPro, Linux World, Mac User, InfoWorld and PC World. 

InfoWorld is now reporting on how IBM goes out of its way to bring media attention on the problems facing its rivals.  InfoWorld has written about this IBM tactic to get media to do negative stories about its rivals

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IBM has been "alerting" InfoWorld this week to developments such as Oracle CEO Larry Ellison laying off more Sun employees than previously thought, and Microsoft allegedly trying to derail IBM by using SCO as a surrogate.

But is IBM the paragon of virtue we're to assume it is if it's the party pointing fingers at rivals? Perhaps not.

If you recall, IBM drew scorn last year for suggesting that recently dismissed IBM employees in the United States or Canada could move to India or another faraway land and work for a fraction of their former wages. You're all heart, Big Blue.

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While the powerful IDG media group has had the courage to point out how IBM is trying to manage news, not many media organization or journalists would be in a position to tell the public how some news is manufactured.

Looks like if there is a need, Big Blue can also become a small story planter.