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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Crisis Management Lessons From Southwest Airlines’ Meltdown – No one is having a worse holiday than Sam Bankman-Fried. To that notion, Southwest Airlines says, “hold my beer.” The company that has had a nearly impeccable image for decades has taken a major blow this holiday season. Yes, there was bad weather, huge demand and some other circumstances, but no other airline imploded like Southwest, leaving tens of thousands of customers stranded in airports for days, losing luggage and ruining many customers’ holiday travel. Forbes takes a look at the lessons that can be learned.
Barnes & Noble Store Expansion Leads Big-Box Real-Estate Revival in 2023 – The reports of the death of bookstores apparently have been greatly exaggerated. Don’t look now, but Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest book retailer, is suddenly growing. The company announced recently it plans to open 30 new stores in 2023, several in spaces formerly occupied by Amazon stores. By the way, Amazon plans to close roughly 60 retail stores in 2023. The Wall Street Journal has the story.
The Sneaky Economics of Ticketmaster – The implosion of Ticketmaster when Taylor Swift tickets went on sale earlier this year was one the biggest PR disasters in recent memory, and it’s not over yet. The company now faces a class-action lawsuit by Swift fans, and the U.S. Department of Justice has opened an antitrust investigation of Ticketmaster parent Live Nation. The Hustle looks at the history of the ticketing industry, the company and the role the Pritzker family has played.
How Frighteningly Strong Meth Has Supercharged Homelessness – The homelessness crisis is getting worse. There are many reasons why, but strong and accessible meth and fentanyl are playing a significant and tragic role. New York Magazine has the story.
‘Can I Go Back to My Regular Job?’ Sports Anchor Goes Viral For Blizzard Coverage – As artist Andy Warhol famously quipped: “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” This week it was Mark Woodley’s turn. The sports anchor for KWWL, the NBC affiliate in Waterloo, Iowa, was asked to pinch hit with weather reports from the streets as early as 3:30 a.m. during the height of the snowfall and freezing temperatures. Let’s just say Mr. Woodley did not hold back about how he felt about the assignment. NPR has the story and the video. Watch the video.
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Feed Your Head:
How to Become a Better, Braver Public Speaker
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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.