Comments on: Flack, Flak — Which Do You Prefer?

By: icanhazmail?

icanhazmail? — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:57:54 +0000

JESUS CHRIST, THE LADY MADE A TYPO.
GET OFF YER SOAP BOX AND PULL THE PINECONE OUT OF YER VAG

Thanks for reading, and thanks for clearing up the difference between the words “flak” and “flack”. I actually Googled it, and this came up.

-Joe Mama

By: A

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:24:11 +0000

I entirely agree with an earlier comment– the level of offensiveness comes with context and intention. To be literal, flack is a term for someone who provides publicity. Now, if the writer’s tone and message content purely uses the term with that specific definition in tow, then so be it. However, as soon as it becomes a name-calling game, I believe [hacks] is up for grabs…

By: Sylke

Sylke — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:32:32 +0000

I’m on the fence on the connotation of the word flack – it’s all in how it’s used rather than the word itself. I am just happy when people know what PR actually is, instead of mixing us up with sales, marketing and advertising folks.

By: Peter Himler

Peter Himler — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:34:32 +0000

It seems the industry is split on the use of the term “flack” (or flak) to describe PR industry professionals. It clearly is derogatory, especially when used by journalists.

As I said in this post on the same subject (http://tinyurl.com/5dv47p), The Flack blog was so named “in a Gawker moment.”

Would I have named it that today? Probably not, but then again Hillary Clinton’s senior communications strategist Howard Wolfson just debuted his new blog, “The Flack,” in The New Republic, while The New York Times’s Deal Book” section has picked up the industry musings of the pseudonymous “Jack Flack.”

By: Margie Newman

Margie Newman — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:49:48 +0000

Although I see your point, I don’t view the use of “flack” as derogatory. Honestly, I kind of like the term … so much in fact that my blog/website bares the name FlackRabbit.

I did enjoy reading your thoughts on it though

By: Don Radoli

Don Radoli — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:42:33 +0000

Watch out the “hacks” don’t do a hatchet job on your client or organisation. Much easier for both parties if you “spin” them into a frenzy doc.

By: Tom Nixon

Tom Nixon — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:26:13 +0000

Do we need flak jackets to practice in this profession? Truth is, in nature, flacks and journalists are at odds, if not mortal enemies. It is our job to bridge that divide and make nice—not the reporters’. Those who act in the reporter’s interest while protecting and furthering the client’s will do well to eschew this moniker, if degrading. And taking umbrage at words used “often without malice” isn’t a good start. Great post, though…

By: Steve Lunceford

Steve Lunceford — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:28:41 +0000

To quote Stripes, “Lighten up, Francis.” I agree with both Joshua’s and Bobbie’s comments above. I just don’t think “flack” is truly derogatory anymore — just an easy, descriptive shorthand.

Heck, I don’t think “Spin doctor” should be looked at as a pejorative either (in fact, SPIN DR is my vanity license plate).

By: Becky Sheetz-Runkle

Becky Sheetz-Runkle — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:56:56 +0000

I think Joshua is spot on. Who cares what they call me if they work with me to get my clients interviews and coverage? What matters to me is results.

By: Janet Falk

Janet Falk — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:36:29 +0000

If I get called a flak, I consider it a typo.