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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The Washington Post Has a Bezos Problem – Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013, and, initially, it looked like a big success. The newspaper, which had been struggling for years, suddenly began to turn around. Digital subscriptions exploded, revenue increased and the newsroom doubled in size. But now subscriptions are declining, there have been rumors of staff cuts and the Post is losing money. And maybe more importantly, it’s become apparent that an oligarch owning a major news organization is a major conflict of interest. Columbia Journalism Review tries to sort things out.
Mystery Solved: ‘Dateline’ Finds Path From TV to Podcast Stardom – “Dateline” debuted on NBC in 1992 as a traditional newsmagazine program featuring a few stories, interviews and some investigative journalism. However, over the past several years, the program has evolved exclusively into a true-crime program. Keith Morrison’s stern look, gray hair and creepy voice have made the show instantly recognizable to a new generation of viewers. But network television audiences are getting older and smaller, so the future is looking dim. If only there was a newer medium where true crime did well. The New York Times digs into the reinvention of “Dateline.”
No Tune, No Words, No Dancing: Why White Noise is the Music Industry’s Newest Hit – Rock ‘n’ roll, punk, new wave, hip hop, country, EDM, mumble rap … it seems like every few years a new trend emerges to take over the music industry. So, what could possibly be next? A new genre of soothing, sleep-inducing sounds? The Guardian takes a deep dive into the intoxicating and profitable world of White Noise.
Is This 2017 Heineken Ad the Key to Saving Democracy? – For more than three years, a Stanford sociologist has been testing simple and scalable ways to “counter anti-democratic beliefs that threaten the country’s political future.” And it turns out the best solution centers around having a beer together. Let’s just say we weren’t surprised.
Fast Company Shuts Website After Hack Sends ‘obscene’ Apple News Notifications – We had planned to run a story from Fast Company this week, but we decided against it. Here’s why.
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Feed Your Head
How to Delete Your Personal Information from the Internet
The 7 Deadly Sins of Giving a Speech
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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.