Talking about the weather has moved from idle chit-chat to something that directly affects people’s lives, whether you work for an airport (delays and cancellations) or a regional bank (property insurance and supply chain). For that reason, even the most mundane events can be breaking news—for example, when a sudden storm dumps sheets of rain on a city. In a marketing context, this kind of news can help achieve a desired objective, such as driving traffic to an event or building brand recognition.
In a world of 24-hour news channels and instant online reporting, breaking news is more common than ever. While it’s often unclear what the term actually means, it generally refers to a rapidly developing story —think a plane crash, fire or tornado. Having a source that can get information to reporters immediately is key to getting the story out first. That’s why many media outlets offer “breaking news” alerts on their websites and mobile apps, so you can be on the lookout for those updates.
Breaking bad news can be extremely difficult for both the person who has to deliver it and the person receiving it. Fortunately, there are guidelines for effective communication that can make the process less distressing for everyone involved. These guidelines include empathy and understanding, positive reframing and allowing space for emotional response. It’s also important to avoid making the recipient feel blame or judgment, which can create conflict and exacerbate the situation.