I've been here for years and I can say that following the hype never works for investors, this is simply an advise.
Few examples: Synereo, Savedroid, Electroneum.
Even though these projects managed to get the money they needed and much more, they still didn't manage to deliver what they promised. Or in some cases, not even get listed in decent exchanges or give ROI back.
Cryptocurrencies are not going anywhere and there will be more and more ICOs until these things get regulated (maybe years from now). So If you're an investor and you don't want to stupidly lose your money in the process, I highly suggest everyone to start researching about the projects he's interested in instead of taking his decisions based on Tweets from McAfee, press releases, scores in Icobench, etc.
I agree with you. You should invest on coins you really want, not to the coin thats on hype. Sometimes, those people who hyped the coins are paid to do it then later on we see that the coin will not be successful in the end. You should think based on your own decision and not the decision of the others.
From the past those things that OP mentioned are being used to pick projects as it can bring some decent upwards movements, but later on, those are the memory of the past, most of investors who still trying to survive from this market knew about how to research and investigate good projects that's being offers from ICO's or IEO's, or any available investment fundings opportunities, realizing that scammers are all over the place it needs to be more active from the community in order to have a much clear view with prospected projects to invest with.
Listening with someone's opinions will only endangered your investment, so do your part and research deeper.