SPINNING WHEELS EX-JOURNALISTS TURNED PR FLACKS REDEFINE THE TERM "COVERING THE STORY"

Preflack job: Business editor, Arizona Republic.
Flack salary: $62,000.
Preflack salary: "More than I earn now."
Memorable spin job: You're reading it!

Forsook noble pursuit of truth for flackdom because: "I was ready to make a change, and Jim Marsh [ex-director of Arizona Department of Commerce] asked me to come on board and help get things back on the right track. I had always considered the public sector a career alternative."

Dumbest question from former colleague: "I'll get back to you on that one." (He didn't.)

Call-return: We got right through.