Universal Records have reportedly put their schools version of the street team concept on hold after criticism in the Guardian, and by the National Union of Teachers.
As reported in yesterday's Daily, the Guardian have criticised the marketing programme used by Universal to promote Busted, McFly and V in which school kids are encouraged to big up those acts at school in return for free stuff. The scheme, which has been cleverly concealed by the record label over the last two years by, erm, promoting it heavily on each of the band's official websites, is, according to the Guardian, a "controversial record company initiative" which the NUT says is "unacceptable".
Despite initially defending the scheme, Universal have confirmed the 'school chairman' programme has been put on hold (though presumably things go kinda quiet during the school holidays anyway) and will be reviewed by label bosses in the New Year. The label say the fact the schools scheme website was down yesterday was coincidental.
Not wishing to editorialise or anything, but as we said yesterday, surely formalising the role of dedicated fans in promoting bands to their peers is much less worrying that the number of food, drink and fashion brands formally sponsoring schools these days. As Pink Floyd once said, "Hey teacher, leave those Busted fans alone".