N-Control to replace Ocean Marketing with… Craigslist? [update]

Update: Moisés Chiullan, chief sales and marketing officer for N-Control, Inc., got in touch to let VentureBeat know that this Craigslist ad was merely one in an ongoing smear campaign by unknown entities:

We did not post these ads (we found out there was another one), nor do we know who did. We have asked Craigslist to remove them, and they have. We have experienced a number of phishing attempts and harassment over the last month, and that’s what I expect this was as well.

Like I mentioned on the phone, all I use Craigslist for is hard-to-find DVDs, not recruiting employees. Rest assured that I have been personally recruiting my sales team for the Avenger line.

Original Story: If you’re not already familiar with last year’s Ocean Marketing debacle, VentureBeat’s previous coverage sums it up nicely. To make a long story short, a one-man PR firm committed very public seppuku when he attacked a customer over email using a language that even unicorns can only explain as “magical,” then proceeded to argue and threaten the co-creator of Penny Arcade, who immortalized him with a single post. The whole thing ended up being the Super Bowl of internet entertainment — if the Super Bowl was only 15 minutes long and starred one guy who was essentially the amalgamation of every character on Jersey Shore.

The e-pocalyptic lash-back saw Ocean Marketing (aka Paul Christoforo) released from the employ of the creator of the Avenger game controller peripheral, which is manufactured by N-Control. Now it seems the company is looking to recruit. And where has the Avenger team taken its search for suitable staffers? Craigslist.

Love Gaming and Selling Great New Products? Look No Further

Do you have what it takes to sell the hottest new video game adapter to stores and distributors worldwide?
If you do, we want to talk to you. N Control, an innovative gaming technology company, has created one
of the hottest new gaming products on the market. And we need you to help us sell it. We’re looking for
talented sales people who love video games and are ready to earn generous commissions each month
–part- or full-time) by selling a product that gamers everywhere will want–if they see it on the shelf of
their favorite gaming store.Our main product, the Avenger, is an Xbox 360 and PS3 adapter that provides
the winning edge to gamerswho want to win more often in a highly competitive environment. You’ll need
to cold call to small shops so you will have to be good at it. And good at following up once you’ve gotten
the account. You’ll also need to be able to make presentations to distributors.

The market the Avenger serves is growing faster we expected. And we need help. With Modern Warfare’s
newest version had over a billion in sales 2012. Demand is fast exceeding supply. The market for any hot
video game is also the Avenger’s target market. The stores and distributors who buy from you will want
what you can give them.Get in on the ground floor of something insanely great. Let us know if you are
one of the people we are looking for. Become part of a gaming industry breakthrough. Join a great company
with a bright future.Don’t wait. We expect hundreds of responses to this ad. Contact us now.

Look, I don’t want to tell someone else how to run their company, but … I once tried to sell my comic book collection on Craigslist and woke up in the middle of the night with a man in a giant bear costume standing over my bed, so I’m not sure it’s the best place to find anything, let alone someone who isn’t going to publicly humiliate you and irreparably damage your brand. Again.

We’ve reached out to authenticate the posting, and to find out more about these “generous commissions.” I’ll have the nearest nail salon selling Avenger products if it helps me with my freakin’ car payments.

Thanks to James Pikover for the tip.