Record labels have been forced to withdraw a controversial scheme to promote their music in schools. An investigation by quality full of jobs you never get read The Media Guardian revealed that street teaming was not merely confined to people coming on messageboards and writing "Hey! Guys! Has anyone checked out this nu band the Spuffing Hedgehogs? Check them out becuz they sound like Gene in a woodchipper on crack with George Formby check them out" in the hope of a signed poster.
Major labels including Universal recruit teenagers up and down the land to act as 'school chairmen' for the likes of Busted. The children represent the band by giving out fliers in exchange for free merchandise, "special recognition" or a "phone call from the lads".
John Bangs, head of the National Union of Teachers, said that "Most schools would be very unhappy about this kind of activity because it exploits children for the benefit of the record company alone."
The Busted Street team sign-up page is currently offline, and while a record company bigwig said this was entirely coincindental, but that the site would be down until they had time to address the issues in the new school year.
