it is doing the opposite effect and it is normal.
Steem doesn't need more users or more bloggers, it needs more investors and all the initiatives done currently are there to stop investments to just distribute upvotes to newbies. This is the #NewSteem as what they are calling.

If they were doing it with their stake it is ok but now we can see some groups like @curangel, managed by @pharesim, starting to downvote people who don't think like them... So yeah Steem is becoming a dictature with these people and I have no doubt that STEEM will fail with this attitude.

So yeah it will be my last publication as I don't want participate anymore to this new scam for investors.
Good luck to all and yeah be prepared for a STEEM going to 0.01$ ;)