A PR firm called Status Labs Image Management sent an email to a CNBC.com freelancer with the following "proposal":

“…I would be asking you to include our clients in stories you’re working on (assuming there’s a natural fit) or pitch your editors on new stories that include discussion of our clients. We’re not looking for you to promote or shill for anything. Just include discussion of our clients in a natural, organic way.

“What we’re paying varies wildly depending on quality of the secured hit. We’ve paid up to a dollar per word for great placement. What payment structure would you be comfortable with?”

Are you F-ing kidding me?!

H/T CNBC