WWD Staff Reporter In Trouble For Instagramming PR Junket

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Screen grab via Gawker. Click to enlarge.

Do Condé Nast editors receive boatloads of freebies? Yes. Does Condé Nast want its editors to Instagram evidence of this fact? No. Gawker reports that Women's Wear Daily has asked staff reporter David Yi to remove social media breadcrumbs from his luxe weekend at East Hampton hotel the Maidstone, hosted by P.R. firm The Social Co.

Using the weekend's #MaidstoneVoyage hashtage, Yi 'grammed pics at gratis wine tastings, dinners, and of his hotel room, potentially clashing with the publisher's editorial policies. Gawker dutifully inquired about the ethics of Yi's weekend.

Here's what a WWD spokesperson had to say:

WWD has long-standing policies in place that ensure editorial integrity. David Yi was in attendance at the event in question, but as a guest of a personal friend and not in a reporting capacity. There were no free clothes or gifts distributed. While we feel that no conflict of interest existed in this situation, the appearance of it is just as serious. As a result, we will deal with the matter internally.

Within minutes, Yi deleted all traces of the weekend on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. A followup e-mail with the same spokesperson explained, "WWD asked David to delete Instagram imagery because of the appearance of a potential conflict of interest."
· Condé Nast Frowns On Fashion Reporter's Instagrammed Junket [Gawker]
· The Fashionable Fire Island Homeshare Fueled By Freebies [Racked NY]