MAY 14, 2013

Full News Archive

• Headline: Bloomberg's Response to Privacy Concerns. Impact: As clients began to question Bloomberg's practices, it set off a trend of financial institutions inciting panic in their PR departments. This led to the rise of crisis management consultants who now charge $1,000 an hour to explain how to not get caught doing something shady. Fact: Did you know that asking questions is a revolutionary act in the finance world? Next, they might start asking how to actually make money instead of just pretending!.
• Headline: Ranbaxy's $500 Million Guilty Plea. Impact: Ranbaxy's guilty plea sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry, leading to increased scrutiny of drug safety. Ironically, this resulted in a spike in sales of herbal supplements, because nothing says 'trustworthy' like a bottle of questionable plant extracts. Fact: Fun fact: $500 million is the price of a lot of things – like a small island or a lifetime supply of aspirin. But hey, at least the fine was cheaper than a full-blown PR disaster!.
• Headline: Sharif vs. Army, Round 3. Impact: Nawaz Sharif's ongoing duel with the military became a timeless saga, influencing future politicians to avoid the military entirely. This led to the rise of 'political yoga' as a strategy for staying flexible in negotiations. Fact: Interesting tidbit: In Pakistan, political disputes are often viewed as a spectator sport. Grab your popcorn; it’s about to get dramatic!.
• Headline: Phone Records of Journalists Seized by U.S.. Impact: The DOJ's secretive phone record seizures became the gold standard for governmental overreach, inspiring countless TV shows about whistleblowers, which coincidentally led to a boom in conspiracy theories about government surveillance. Fact: In the age of social media, it’s ironic that journalists had their phone records seized as if cell phones were still the most private thing. Who needs privacy when you can tweet your every thought?.