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The Flack

The Flack™ for Friday, October 18, 2024

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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Inside The Secretive $700 Million Ad-Testing Factory For Kamala Harris – You might not be familiar with Future Forward, but you’ve seen their work. The secretive super PAC is taking a “Moneyball” approach to political advertising, and some feel it may make the difference in November. The New York Times sheds some light.

Billionaires Back A New ‘Anti-Woke’ University – Frustrated with the increasingly progressive atmospheres and policies of university campuses, many moderate and conservative students and parents don’t know where to turn. The University of Austin (UATX) offers an alternative. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at their approach to higher education.

Bath And Body Works’ Candle Backlash Reveals How Intent Can Miss The Mark – Bath and Body Works has had a rough run lately, but what could possibly be wrong with a holiday candle featuring paper snowflakes? Apparently, plenty. Forbes looks at the latest example of consumers interpreting things not as the brand intended. Cue the PR agency.

The University Of Michigan Doubled Down On D.E.I. What Went Wrong? – Until recently, it seemed that all companies and universities wanted to talk about was their commitment to D.E.I. But now many of these organizations have killed or greatly reduced their efforts in this area. However, the University of Michigan decided to buck the trend and double down on D.E.I. The New York Times takes a deep look at the results.

Photographer Combs The World For Pairs Of Identical Strangers – Ever wonder if you have a doppelganger? One photographer has been combing the planet to find unrelated look-alikes. And some of his findings are staggering. NPR has the story.

 

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Feed Your Head:

Who Is That You Are Chatting With? Oh, Just ChatGPT.

 

The Secretive Dynasty That Controls The Boar’s Head Brand

 

An Obit Worth Reading:

David Garrard Lowe, Defender Of Historic Architecture, Dies At 91

 

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flack

noun

: one who provides publicity

flack

verb

: 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.