Designers apologize after Chinese geography flub; The potential cost of influencer fraud; Universal pulls 'The Hunt'; and more

MORNING SCOOP

Designers apologize to Chinese consumers, ‘influencer fraud’ cost nearing $1.3 billion, and Universal pulls ‘The Hunt’ after mass shootings

Also: Quirky risks of working at home, Twitch chief says ‘sorry’ to a former streamer, and Amazon scores with a guinea-pig-themed café.

SLIDER

Every generation uses social media daily

Are you looking to target older consumers? Perhaps you want to reach ascendant demographics like the millennial generation. Either way, social media is a potent tool.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

As data breaches rise, cybersecurity companies can seize the moment

Digital marketing and smart PR are essential for organizations in business to safeguard vulnerable, high-profile targets.

WRITING & EDITING

10 ways to get the writing juices flowing

The empty page or blank screen can seem daunting, but often that’s not the real impediment. Try these exercises to unblock your mind.

WRITING & EDITING

A slew of must-read books for writers

Content creators and other professional communicators, comb through these tomes to learn something, get inspired and hone your storytelling.

OP-ED

Why we should stop saying ‘nobody dies in PR’

PR might not be brain surgery, but it has the power to alter lives. That’s why some PR pros take their work so seriously—and why communicators should demand perfection.

MORNING SCOOP

Walmart KOs violent-video displays but keeps guns, Uber spins bad financials, and blackface at Belgium’s Africa Museum draws ire

Also: Farmer Boys’ social media sweepstakes win, apps’ value for consumers, PR pros’ stand on profanity in messages, and more.

INFOGRAPHICS

Infographics: How to prime your website for voice search

Making sure artificial intelligence can find your products and services will be essential for attracting new customers. Here’s how you should prepare for the future.

SOCIAL MEDIA

4 social media pitfalls for communicators

Don’t let Twitter litter, Instagram envy or Facebook bile bog you down or sour your outlook.

WRITING & EDITING

For clearer writing, ditch ‘etc.,’ ‘i.e.’ and ‘e.g.’

These Latin abbreviations don’t impress, they confuse. Here’s what to write instead.

MEDIA RELATIONS

Does profanity rev up your message, or put off your audience?

Beto O’Rourke got lots of coverage for his sharp outburst to a question about Donald Trump’s response to a mass shooting in El Paso. Do the ‘bad’ words undercut his argument?

MARKETING

Survey: Gen Z consumers are skeptical about most businesses

This ascendant, demanding cadre seeks authentic social responsibility from the companies it patronizes, but transparency and consistency are paramount. Here’s how to win their trust.

MORNING SCOOP

Equinox and SoulCycle downplay political backlash, Pizza Hut shutters stores, and marketers purr over #InternationalCatDay

Also: Storytelling insights from Hilton’s director of content, The New York Times’ stock drop reveals a muddy media picture, and how different social media platforms affect purchases.

JOBS OF THE WEEK

30 jobs in the PR and marketing world

Do you ever wonder what some of our world’s leaders did before they held such important political positions? Find out, and then check out our roundup of current job openings.