The Flack highlights changes and trends in the news, examples of communications practices, and content we at BYRNE PR thought you might find useful.
We hope you enjoy, and we always welcome your feedback.
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Bidens Clarify National Champ LSU’s White House Invitation – Earlier this week LSU defeated Iowa for the school’s first NCAA women’s basketball title. The game was immediately mired in controversy when LSU star Angel Reese, who is Black, was criticized for using a hand gesture some felt was unsportsmanlike. However, many others felt this illustrated a double standard. Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who is white, used the same hand gesture in an earlier game and was praised. To settle things down First Lady Jill Biden thought both teams should be invited to The White House. Turns out that was a bad idea. ESPN has the story.
The Contradictions of Sam Altman, AI Crusader – By now it’s understandable if you’re sick of hearing about ChatGPT, the artificial-intelligence chatbot that has been writing term papers and everything else since its launch in November. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at where this technology originated (in a teenager’s imagination in St. Louis), and some concerning predictions of where it might lead. Get to know Sam Altman.
Tech Layoffs as Told By CEOs in 48 All-Staff Memos – Over the past several months hundreds of tech companies have laid off nearly 150,000 workers amid the slowing economy and fears of recession. But how each company communicated this news to their soon-to-be former employees is fascinating. The Washington Post takes a close look at their word choice, tone and reaction to these oftentimes awkward all-staff memos.
School District Mission Statements Highlight a Partisan Divide Over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in K-12 Education – In recent years K-12 education has emerged as a flashpoint for the political divide in the country. Debates about what should be taught in history, sex education and other subjects, as well as the role parents should play, have been hotly debated, and there appears to be no end in sight. If you want to get a look at how divided the country is, school mission statements are a good place to start. Pew Research takes a close look at how statements vary in blue and red states.
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Brand Miss:
Adidas Backtracks Black Lives Matter Dispute (3-minute video)
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flack
: one who provides publicity
flack
: to act as a press agent or promoter for something
The word flack was first used as a noun meaning “publicity agent” during the late 1930s. According to one rumor, the word was coined in tribute to a well-known movie publicist of the time, Gene Flack.