A weekly roundup of media news and talking points, sans effort

 

Thought for the Week 

“From now on, The Times will use the word “torture??? to describe incidents in which we know for sure that interrogators inflicted pain on a prisoner in an effort to get information.” New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet, confirming the paper’s decision to change how it refers to the controversial treatment of some terror suspects by the CIA. Previously terms such as ‘harsh’ or ‘brutal interrogation methods’ were used. 

 

Weekly High

Nobody likes a cold cup of coffee, and Thermos aimed to prove that nobody needs to drink a cold cup of coffee when it shipped the new Stainless King flask to journalists based in various locations across the U.S. via overnight Fed Ex delivery. Each arrived, complete with a still-steaming hot serving of Spyhouse Coffee inside, proving that the product works in keeping drinks at 151-degrees, even if it takes 24 hours before someone takes a sip, and generating some great PR in the process.

 

Weekly Low

With strikes against Gaza resuming today following an all-too brief respite, the ongoing debate as to whether actions on both sides represent war crimes, and over 1,400 Palestinians dead, it seems remarkably bold for beauty giant Garnier to send ‘care packages’ to Isreali soldiers. Cue social media backlash and threats of boycotting the brand’s various product lines. All of which begs the question ‘why get involved?’

 

Stories to keep an eye on

Tesco’s Blinkbox Books is set to move into live events in the latest attempt by a media firm to  master an experiential business model.
China has intensified its crack down on social media with tough new laws designed to restrict instant messaging apps such as Kakao Talk and WeChat, with the move, according to government officials, designed to promote ‘true freedom of speech’.
Twitter’s proposed Native Shopping Service could arrive far sooner than experts predicted after a new but not yet functional ‘Payment and Shipping’ option appeared on the Android app. 
 
 

Just in case you missed it…

We have been nominated for no less than five CIPR PRide North West Awards, including Best Consumer Relations Campaign (Silentnight), Best Digital Corporate Campaign (Silentnight), Best Event (Virgin Holidays Manchester Tunnel To Barbados) and Best Photography (Virgin Holidays Manchester Tunnel To Barbados). Read all about it here.