article_snippet: Ben Sheidler, a Coca-Cola spokesman, compared the February posts to product placement deals a company might have with TV shows. '
article_snippet: We have a network of dietitians We work with,' said Sheidler, who declined to say how much Coca-Cola pays experts. '
article_snippet: Every big brand works with bloggers or has paid talent.'
article_snippet: mini-Cokes say in the bios that the author is a 'consultant' for food companies, including Coca-Cola.
article_snippet: Ben Sheidler, a Coca-Cola spokesman, has compared the February posts - which mentioned a mini-can of Coke or small soda as a snack idea -  to product placement deals a company might have with TV shows (file) Kelly McBride, who teaches media ethics at The Poynter Institute, said the phrasing of the disclosure that the author is a 'consultant' for food companies, including Coca-Cola, doesn't make it clear the author was specifically paid by Coke for the column. '
article_snippet: A spokesman for the academy did not respond when asked if the posts on mini-Cokes meet those guidelines.
article_snippet: Flipse has worked with Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association for years; Flipse roles have included sending out messages on social media refuting the idea that sugary drinks are to blame for obesity and making Flipse available as an expert for news outlets.
article_snippet: If a story says something negative about artificial sweeteners, Flipse said Flipse might contact a public relations agency for Coke and ask, 'Do you want me to do something about that?'
article_snippet: Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, a dietitian who wrote another piece mentioning mini- cans of soda, said it's important that health professionals share health professionals expertise with companies and that Flipse work reflects Flipse own views.
article_snippet: Flipse said Flipse could not recall if Flipse was paid for Flipse article mentioning mini-sodas.