Introduction To Public Relations

Sue Wolstenholme’s book is markedly different. It is written by a very experienced professional who dares to introduce the complexity of interests in the field of public relations. Instead of generalizing an idealized concept, Wolstenholme opens the eyes to the variety of conditions for public relations internationally. She invites the newcomer to a challenging profession, demanding critical reflection and integrity – and the book is refreshing and wise reading for the experienced as well. Professor Inger Jensen, Roskilde University An Introduction to Public Relations by Sue Wolstenhome This brand new textbook presents a fresh and thought-provoking look at public relations. Based on marrying the theoretical background to the subject with the practicalities of working in the PR arena and building a critical awareness of common examples and practices around the world and within a wide variety of companies, this book will engage, entertain and provoke the reader to look deeper into the subject. The book is split into three parts. The first introduces Public Relations - what it is, is not, what practitioners do, what a ‘public’ is, ethics, CSR and issues management. The second part deals with the skills needed in public relations – international PR, writing press releases, planning and executing the PR campaign, and crisis management. Finally, the third part looks to the future and reconceptualises PR with a chapter on the Stockholm Accords. The book has a very strong emphasis on ethics and case studies from around the world, looking at everything from corporate giants to health campaigns, and diaries and writings of individuals working within the industry. It is an excellent introduction to the world of public relations. Introduction to Public Relations provides an overview of PR from a global and critical perspective. The philosophy behind this new book is to encourage questioning by throwing in controversial ideas and different approaches; to show that there is more than one way to approach an issue and that some approaches can actually be harmful to the interests of society. It intends to try to foster a critical as well as a creative approach to the subject to prepare the undergraduate to go on to study and practice to achieve higher levels of originality. This book is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking modules in Public Relations as well as those studying at Foundation, Advanced Certificate and Diploma levels with the CIPR.