Death of a Senator

News of Ted Kennedy's death began making its way through the country last night and by this morning most news stations were covering the news and filling the airwaves with memories and tributes.

Senator Kennedy's health had been declining, so the death was neither shocking nor controversial. The role of Ted and his family in American politics has been an ongoing saga that has unfolded over decades and now has seemingly come to an end.

Maybe it's because of this that word of his death traveled so quickly. Or maybe it's just that news of any sort travels quickly these days.

I first learned of Kennedy's passing on Twitter, late last night. Then saw more about it on the morning news and by the time I reached my desk today, had received several emails about it.

Never having lived in Massachusetts, I have no real connection to Ted Kennedy, but all of a sudden, he's having a direct impact on my life. Because working in the PR industry means that cultural events that affect the news cycle, can personally affect all of us.

One of my clients had some news going out today, but with the majority of outlets chronicling Ted Kennedy's life and death, our news got lost in the shuffle. Which is probably as it should be. In times when we connect with each other via emails and blog posts more than hand-written letters and dinner parties, there's something comforting about one man's passing causing a disturbance in the (mass media) Force.

 With the current speed of news, Kennedy will be off the front pages before you can say "Bob's your uncle" and reporters everywhere will be freed up to cover my clients again. At least until Jessica Simpson shows up somewhere wearing mom jeans again.