Stories by Justin Joffe

Considering that Snapchat now shares analytics and insights with its network of influencers, its addition of “mentions” feels like another feature that will allow the platform to function as a serious tool for communicators. And considering that the company laid off over 120 engineers this week, it’s possible that the company might be content to continue beefing up its interface with innovations that already exist elsewhere.

At the Oscars, celebrity influences spoke out as conscious, mindful advocates instead of talking heads. Some of the most significant moments include the snubbing of Ryan Seacrest, a passionate advocation for dreamers and the suggestion of a rider that would make inclusion in productions a requirement. These tactics have implications that reverberate for beyond the Hollywood Hills.

Samsung Electronics revealed the latest iteration of its smartphones yesterday with the Galaxy S9 and S9+, highlighting new and updated apps, including its voice-activated personal assistant and augmented reality emojis, among other features. So, ahead of the Galaxy S9’s release on March 16, here are three features in the latest iteration that communicators should know about now.

There’s an old courtroom expression: “Never ask a question if you don’t know the answer.” But after last night’s CNN town hall debate about gun control—when survivors of last week’s Parkland, Fla. school shooting met with Sen. Marco Rubio, Parkland Rep. Ted Deutsch, Broward County sheriff Scott Israel and National Rifle Association spokesperson Dana Loesch—perhaps a new version of that quote is in order: “Never answer a question without first reading the room.”

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has had a rough week. On Tuesday, Sports Illustrated published a bombshell investigation that detailed a culture of sexual harassment among the Mavericks’ corporate culture for the better part of a decade. The report seemed to catch Cuban—and the Mavericks organization—off guard, highlighting the need for all organizations to engage in crisis planning. And it’s yet another example of how all brands need to be prepared for allegations of this nature in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

KFC ran out of chicken in Britain earlier this week, closing over half of its 900 U.K. locations Monday in a move that will likely keep some stores closed throughout the week. But KFC got out ahead of the issue and practiced the tried and true “acknowledge, align, assure” mantra—a go-to blueprint for brands needing to engage in efficient, actionable conflict resolution.

Marvel’s long-awaited “Black Panther” has already shattered box-office pre-sale records and is shaping up to be the most successful movie with an almost all-black cast ever released. But the source comic book was not always as infused with such resonant ideas about racial identity, class and power. Here’s a look at the influencers who helped reframe Black Panther’s brand and identity as a powerful avatar for black representation on the big screen.