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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A Rock Star’s Mystery Baby Offers A Lesson In Crisis Communication – A rock star having a baby out of wedlock is hardly breaking news. That said, for Dave Grohl (nickname: “the nicest guy in rock”), it was more than off brand. The Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer has been married for more than 20 years, and has three children. However, last week Grohl announced that he fathered a baby girl outside of his marriage. And while his behavior isn’t being endorsed, his communications strategy is receiving accolades. The New York Times has the story.
How Home Depot Became The Go-To Shop For Viral Halloween Decorations – Late summer and early fall are busy times at Home Depot. At this time of year the retailer is packed with shoppers looking for rakes, leaf bags, mums and … giant skeletons? Yes, for the past few decades Home Depot has been THE place for over-the-top Halloween decorations. Strange but true, and Fast Company explains how it happened.
Dumbphones And Fax Machines Are The New Boss Flex – Wait, you think your new iPhone 16 Pro Max is cool? Not so fast. Just like vinyl records and analog watches have made roaring comebacks, we are now seeing the same trend with phones and other technology. And believe us when we say pulling out a flip phone is a power move’s power move. The Wall Street Journal looks into the trend.
Is Your Name Your Destiny? – Can a person’s name really influence their career choice or other life decisions? If you talk to firefighter Les McBurney you might believe it can happen. In his guest essay to The New York Times author Jesse Singal takes a look at the science (yes, science) behind the hypothesis.
How To Craft A Memorable Message, According To Science – You have a big meeting coming up and you need to craft a memorable message? The Four C’s can help you do it. Harvard Business Review explains.
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Beach Reads:
The Exact Hour You Hit Peak Vacation Happiness – And How To Make That Feeling Last
Here’s the No. 1 Phrase That Annoys Your Coworkers
An Obit Worth Reading:
Tommy Cash, Country Singer and Younger Brother of Johnny, Dies at 84
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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.