APRIL 20, 1989

Full News Archive

• Headline: Alaska Oil Spill: PR Challenges Explored. Impact: This oil spill not only tested Exxon's PR skills but also led to a surge in environmental activism. Who knew a little black goo could unite people across the globe for a common cause? Thanks, Exxon, for the unintended consequences!. Fact: Did you know that this spill prompted the creation of stricter environmental laws? So every time you see a clean beach, thank Exxon for making it happen...sort of..
• Headline: The Ethics of Gun Advertising. Impact: This bizarre scenario of a gunmaker exploiting an unfortunate event opened the floodgates for questionable advertising practices. Now we have ads for everything from baby formula to lawnmowers that make you question your life choices.. Fact: Fun fact: This kind of ethical inquiry is the reason you see disclaimers on ads now. Because apparently, 'buy this or else' wasn't clear enough..
• Headline: Celebrating Washington's Inauguration Anniversary. Impact: Ah, the Bicentennial of the Constitution. This celebration inadvertently paved the way for every future patriotic marketing ploy. Who knew a couple of fireworks and a few flags would lead to endless Fourth of July sales?. Fact: Did you know that George Washington never actually had an inauguration day party? Talk about a missed opportunity for a great barbecue!.
• Headline: THE MEDIA BUSINESS: Advertising; Magazine Takes Aim At Hispanic Market. Impact: This magazine's gamble on the Hispanic market not only opened doors for representation in media but also inadvertently sparked a magazine war that led to an avalanche of niche publications. Thanks, Manuel A. Casiano, for the clutter!. Fact: Did you know that before this, the term 'untapped market' was just a euphemism for 'we didn't bother to ask'?.
• Headline: THE MEDIA BUSINESS: Advertising; Accounts. Impact: Midway Airlines' choice of agency led to an era of public relations campaigns that either flew high or crashed and burned, much like their flight trajectories. Who knew PR could be as unpredictable as turbulence?. Fact: Did you know that Midway Airlines eventually became a case study in what NOT to do in PR? Spoiler alert: It involves a lot of bad flights..
• Headline: In Fabrics, Orchids Upstage the Rose. Impact: The rise of orchids in the fabric world signaled a shift in design aesthetics that would later influence everything from fashion runways to interior design trends. Who knew flowers could have such a dramatic impact on your living room?. Fact: Did you know that orchids are technically a family of flowers that includes over 25,000 species? Talk about a floral overachiever!.