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.
************************
Days Before Testimony Begins Against Johnny Depp, Amber Heard Fires PR Team – As much as you’ve tried to ignore it, you just can’t. Actor Johnny Depp is seeking $50 million in damages after his ex-wife Amber Heard wrote an essay for The Washington Post in 2018 in which she said she had become a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” This past week Depp provided details we wish we could unhear. Now Ms. Heard has hired a new PR firm to help her with messaging. Grab some popcorn and check out this piece from NBC News.
Duckin’ Autocorrect: Why Your iPhone’s Keyboard Doesn’t Always Get You – Ever sent a text on your iPhone only to then see what you typed (or intended to type) was not what you sent? It’s so ducking frustrating it can make you want to throw your ducking phone! The Wall Street Journal sits down with Ken Kocienda, the inventor of autocorrect for the iPhone and maybe one of the most hated unknown men in America. This seven-minute video explains a lot.
American Politicians Have Become Less Civil on Twitter Over Time, New Study Confirms – Everyone talks about increasing partisanship in Congress, but this study confirms it. Or at least confirms the growing lack of civility on Twitter displayed by members of Congress. The study revealed a 23% increase in online incivility among Congresspeople from 2009-2019, with more inflammatory tweets getting more likes and retweets. The Society for Personality and Social Psychology digs in.
For Weary Workers, Video Backdrops Are Becoming Too Close and Personal – Remember a few years ago when Zoom meetings were kind of novel and fun? Neither do we. After two-plus years of remote work, more and more people are becoming fed up with coworkers, clients and others looking over their shoulders at their messy kitchen, stacks of laundry or other personal areas of their homes. The New York Times takes a look at the impact video meetings have had on our psychology and society.
Why Chick-fil-A Workers Always Say, “My Pleasure” – On the surface you might not think Ritz-Carlton and Chick-fil-A have very much in common. Take a deeper look and you might be surprised. While no one would confuse fast food for a luxury hotel, both companies have extensive training in customer service, and employees for both companies will never say, “You’re welcome.” This CNN piece tells you why.
Give the Perfect Toast With These 7 Tips – Wedding season has arrived, and someone is going to hand you a mic before you know it. For many, giving a toast at a wedding or any event can be incredibly stressful. NPR highlights seven tips that will show you how to nail it every time.
************************
Tone Deaf:
************************
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.