The market isn't dead. It just became segmented among differing price points depending a) objectives and b) delivery agent. Top tier: recognizable nicks pushing your stuff, holding contests, holding Q + A, and just being "semi-reps" for your product. Mid tier: Webmasters paid per post to participate Mass tier: Paid branders. Another point of distinction: Are you paying for sigs on people who have connections and can, indirectly/subtly, influence their friends? OR are you paying for branding? Finally, price point shifts--more expensive re more targetted campaigns, cheaper on branding campaigns.
Just my personal observations. Others may differ
