For Guba, a Quarter Buys a Headline

How did Guba dupe everyone into writing up its “Tell a Friend” affiliate deal to pay out 25 cents to people who refer new users? People, it’s a quarter! When I visited the Guba offices recently, they grabbed me a couple quarters out of a company bucket to pay for the parking meter in front. It’s quite seriously chump change to a profitable company that’s making millions each year.

Guba probably got more free advertising out of its press release than it will ever pay out to its users. Even if the company signs up 1 million members through the program, it’ll cost $250,000 — not bad considering today’s buyout prices (see: Grouper’s $65 million) amidst heavy competition. If the thing gets scammed by people using hundreds of fake emails, well, Guba’s loss…but I’m not sure that “intriguing move” or “a real gamble” is the way to describe it.
P.S. According to a poll of more than 800 of our readers, Guba is seen as second-most likely (after far-and-away winner YouTube) video site to get bought next.

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