I disagree. I'm a mod on a reasonably large subreddit and I regularly get approached about promoting certain brands or blogs. I've never accepted any of the offers as I don't agree with gaming the system but undoubtedly plenty of people have.

Marketeers are getting wise to Reddit. They know if they hit a sweetspot the reddit can make or break their brand over night. Soliciting "reddit celebrities" is naturally going to be a tactic many people employ.