Weekly Rewind: Our favorite stories from around the Web

Source: USA Today
Source: USA Today

The only thing that could make this Friday better is the fact that the Weekly Rewind is back! This week our favorite stories include politics, procrastination and public perception, but most importantly, they all carry important lessons in PR.

Show Your Emotions on Your Face(book)

Facebook understands that the “like” button doesn’t always convey the appropriate sentiment, and it’s finally doing something about it. Thanks to its most recent update, users can express different emotions to a post by choosing one of the five new emojis: “love,” “haha,” “wow,” “sad,” or “angry.” Facebook chose these options over adding a “dislike” button in fear that it would create too much negativity.

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Tell that to Rick Tyler, the former director of communications for Ted Cruz’s campaign. Cruz fired Tyler after he posted a misleading video of Marco Rubio on Twitter. Despite his public apologies, Tyler was asked to resign right before the Nevada caucus. In recent weeks, Cruz has defended himself against several accusations of running an underhanded race. Could firing Tyler be a step in the right direction to regain trust, or is it too late for that? #TrusTed, right?

No Nomination? No Problem

Awards season is upon us and it’s rolling out the red carpet for more than just celebrities. Marketing and PR professionals are given a platform to make some serious impressions via social media by interacting in real time during these ceremonies. Strategic product placement plays a part, but fret not if your company doesn’t have a direct partnership in these awards shows. Congratulating winners and interacting with your followers in real time can do wonders to your impressions, but remember, timeliness is key. Don’t pull a Red Lobster.

Apple Keeps It Real

The FBI recently asked Apple to create a system that will circumvent security features on Apple products in order to gain access to the iPhone that belonged to the man behind the terrorist attack in San Bernardino last year. Apple opposed, but instead of opting for a press conference or an interview, CEO Tim Cook chose to communicate his reasoning the old-fashioned way. In this audience-friendly, jargon-free letter, Cook lays out Apple’s case in a transparent, relatable manner and explains why customer safety is his highest priority.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Ever set out to write something amazing, but instead find yourself staring blankly into space? (Wait, is that not part of the process?) Check out this article for tips on how to maximize your productivity and keep yourself on track.

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