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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‘We Need To Be The News’: Inside Bari Weiss’s Bumpy Revamp At CBS – Bari Weiss’s revamp of “CBS Evening News” has faced intense scrutiny and criticism. Her directive to “be the news” and create “viral potential” has led to a bumpy start, including a teleprompter malfunction during anchor Tony Dokoupil’s debut and a tonally confused segment about Marco Rubio that drew mockery. Weiss aims to inject personality and informality into the newscast, which ranks behind ABC and NBC in viewership. However, her approach, mirroring critiques from her former publication The Free Press, has been called partisan and inexperienced. The New York Times examines the issue.
They Quit Their Day Jobs To Bet On Current Events. A Look Inside The Prediction Market Mania – Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are experiencing a boom, attracting traders who quit day jobs to bet on current events. Logan Sudeith, a former financial analyst, made $100,000 last month trading on these platforms, betting on outcomes from Time’s Person of the Year to political races. Proponents view these markets as a way to uncover truth and hedge against inflation, with major media outlets like CNN and WSJ integrating them into coverage. However, critics, like Dennis Kelleher of Better Markets, label them as gambling sites akin to casinos. NPR lets you decide.
Robert Prost Invented The Cubicle. But Don’t Blame Him If You Hate It. – Robert Propst invented the cubicle in the 1960s as the “Action Office,” aiming for a dynamic, flexible workspace that boosted productivity and well-being. His initial design was expensive and a flop. Action Office II (1968) was more affordable and adaptable. However, businesses adopted it primarily for cost-saving, packing more employees into smaller spaces, leading to the dreaded cubicle. The Wall Street Journal explains why you are sitting in one right now.
Local Newspapers Are Closing. Local News Is Surviving. – Local newspapers are closing at an alarming rate (more than 3,500 since 2005). However, local news is surviving through a new model: hundreds of nonprofit news organizations are being funded by philanthropy, businesses and donors in the name of “public good.” These online-focused outlets, like Mississippi Today and Mirror Indy, produce high-quality, award-winning journalism, demonstrating that the issue is the business model, not public demand. The New York Times takes a look at this trend.
National Anger Spills Into Target Stores, Again – Target is facing renewed political controversy after videos showed immigration officers detaining employees at a Minnesota store. While Target has faced pressure to take stances on various social issues, it remains silent on the immigration incident. Legally, Target has little power to prevent federal agents from operating in public store areas. Experts suggest silence is safe, but damaging to reputation. The New York Times takes a look.
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Feed Your Head:
Did Hunter S. Thompson Really Kill Himself?
Dos Equis Brings Back The Most Interesting Man In The World
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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.