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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Campbell’s Defends Its Ingredients After Chicken Controversy – The holidays are typically the beginning of a spike in soup consumption, but Campell’s has found itself in the middle of a PR crisis. The company placed IT VP Martin Bally on leave after a lawsuit alleged he called company food “highly processed” for “poor people” and made racist remarks about Indian coworkers. Former analyst Robert Garza filed suit, claiming he was fired in retaliation for reporting Bally’s comments. Campbell’s defended its products, stating they use real chicken and that Bally’s alleged comments are unacceptable and don’t reflect company values. The Wall Street Journal digs into the mess.
Seven Days Of Paralysis: Inside The BBC Crisis Over A Trump Documentary – In a time of crisis, indecisiveness can be a recipe for disaster, and the BBC is finding this out. On Nov. 3, a British newspaper accused the network of institutional bias over a misleading edit of a speech by President Trump. However, instead of addressing the criticism, the BBC was silent for seven days. In the vacuum, a wave of headlines became a flood of unchallenged claims that eventually pulled in the White House, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt declaring the BBC “total, 100 percent fake news.” By the time the broadcaster issued a statement, the scandal had engulfed the organization. The New York Times takes a deep dive.
The Skinny Font Taking Over Tech Companies And The White House – You probably don’t stop and think about fonts. Companies and brands choose fonts that reflect the image and emotion they want to convey, but they’re not alone. Even the White House font changes depending on who is in office. Talk about things you don’t think about. By the way, we use Arial (12) for precision and clarity.
Coca-Cola Injects ‘Holidays Are Coming’ Ads With An Upgraded Dose Of AI – You might recall Coca-Cola being embroiled in a controversy around this time last year over its AI-generated holiday ad. The company was criticized for the spot itself and for being one of the first major brands to use AI in a way that could jeopardize creative jobs. That said, the brand is back at it again this holiday season. The Wall Street Journal looks at the issue and whether Coke may fare better this year. You be the judge.
Michelin Honored The Cheesesteak. Not All Philadelphians Cheered. – For the first time, Michelin Guides has honored the Philly cheesesteak. And Philadelphians want to argue about it. Who’d have guessed it?
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Feed Your Head:
5 Questions To Ask Your Elders Over The Holidays
Gen-Z Can’t Stop Using The Slang Term ‘Skibidi’ In Passwords
Good Obit:
Viola Fletcher, Oldest Survivor Of The Tulsa Race Massacre, Dies At 111
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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.