Can this be considered as "Paid Bumps"?
Paid Bump is not allowed by the forum policy. It may result to permanently ban all users engaged including the campaign manager responsible.
It cant be considered as paid bump as the campaign manager has not offered any payment for posting on the announcement thread. Everyone can say to visit his website or something if they like. If the campaign manager told you must have to post on the announcement thread or the campaign manager told there will be no payment if not posted on the announcement thread then we could say paid bump and the campaign manager could be accused.