FEBRUARY 3, 1997

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring the Alan Truscott Bridge Column. Impact: If Alan Truscott had never written that Bridge column, we might have all collectively forgotten how to cross rivers, leading to a global crisis where everyone just floats and hopes for the best.. Fact: Bridges were actually invented to prevent people from having to swim. Shocking, right?.
• Headline: Interpublic Wins AST Advertising Account. Impact: The account changes at Interpublic led to a chain reaction of advertising agencies obsessively competing for accounts, resulting in the infamous 'Ad Wars' of the late 90s, which were like the Hunger Games but with more logos.. Fact: In the advertising world, losing an account is like breaking up with a significant other—lots of tears and desperate attempts to win them back with better jingles..
• Headline: GOVERNORS LIMIT REVISIONS SOUGHT IN WELFARE LAW. Impact: The decision by governors to limit welfare law revisions led to a series of bizarre compromises that ultimately inspired the reality show 'Welfare Wars: Governors Edition.'. Fact: Political compromise is like a salad; it often includes a lot of things no one likes but has to eat anyway..
• Headline: Deep Scars Are Expected in Senate Hearings on Nominee for C.I.A. Chief. Impact: The political bloodletting during Anthony Lake's nomination led to an entire generation of future CIA nominees who learned to bring band-aids to Senate hearings as a precaution.. Fact: In politics, a bloody nomination hearing is just a typical Tuesday..
• Headline: Fallon McElligott drops McDonald's and Leap moves deeper into the Los Angeles market.. Impact: Fallon McElligott's decision to drop McDonald's catalyzed a series of choices that ultimately paved the way for the rise of 'fast-casual' dining, where you pay more to wait less.. Fact: When agencies drop clients, it’s usually not because they’re unhappy; they just want to appear more exclusive—like that one friend who suddenly becomes a vegan..
• Headline: Back in Jail, Again. Impact: Alveda Torrado's false claims created a ripple effect that sparked stricter laws on false reporting, leading to an entire genre of courtroom dramas that still misrepresent the justice system today.. Fact: False reporting can lead to serious consequences, like getting a starring role in a true crime documentary nobody wants to be in..
• Headline: Executive Changes At 3 Agencies. Impact: Executive changes at agencies inspired a cycle of turnover that eventually led to the creation of 'Office Shuffle'—the game where everyone pretends to care about their new boss's cats.. Fact: In advertising, the only thing more constant than change is the amount of coffee consumed during those changes..
• Headline: Kwan Wants It All, In and Out of the Rink. Impact: Michelle Kwan wanting it all on and off the rink influenced a generation of athletes to pursue fame and fortune, ultimately leading to the rise of reality shows about Olympic athletes trying to balance their personal lives.. Fact: Michelle Kwan could have been a professional ice skater or a professional heartbreaker. Spoiler alert: she chose both..
• Headline: The Empire That Henry Luce Built Now Works at Bolstering the Bottom Line. Impact: The transformation of Time Inc. under Logan and Pearlstine set a precedent for media companies scrambling to stay afloat—leading to the eventual rise of clickbait and the existence of articles like '10 Ways Cats Have Ruined Your Life.'. Fact: Transformations in media companies are like transformations in a superhero movie—everyone pretends they’re working towards greatness while secretly just trying to sell more popcorn..