This sums up everything I've seen so far: academia, companies, and startups. It makes one very cynical after experiencing how much things are driven by PR.
Academia is less so than the others. The main thresholds of ability is determined by publications and grants. Both of those are peer-reviewed in a fair way (either blind reviewed, or where the conflict of interests have to leave the room). You can be amazingly successful being a no name who publishes and gets funding.