Public Relations In Global Cultural Contexts

This volume emphasizes theories and concepts that highlight global interconnectedness through a range of interpretative and critical approaches to understanding the global significance and impacts of public relations.

Communication has become the technology of public interest, demanding a re-examination of the key concept of public in both public relations and communication theory. This book defines a new concept of public interest communication, combining the conflict, negotiation and adaptation inherent in public interest, with a critical approach to communication management and public relations. Combining conceptual discussions about public theories of language with the tension between the public and private interests for public relations professionals, the book uses case studies to explore the negotiation of conflicting interests and the construction of the public interest within systems of governance at local, national and international levels. Public interest communication is identified within social and cultural contexts that resonate globally – health, community, media and the environment - each representing interest conflicts within the changing global environment. Addressing the forces of fragmentation, inequality and individualisation that characterize the modern world, this thought-provoking volume will be of great interest to researchers and advanced students of communication, public relations, environmental communication, public communication, and public policy.

This book continues the groundbreaking work begun in Intercultural Public Relations: Theories for Managing Relationships and Conflicts with Strategic Publics (Routledge, 2018), by applying the theoretical framework of intercultural public relations to actual practice. Practical public relations contexts examined by the contributing chapter authors—both scholars and practitioners—include corporations, government, military, healthcare, education, and activism. The book covers real-world situations, including the training of practitioners to become more interculturally competent, identifying and understanding publics or stakeholders with different cultural backgrounds and identities, building and maintaining relationships with these publics/stakeholders, and managing conflicts with them. Offering practical guidance while examining both best practices and difficult challenges, this book is useful for public relations researchers, practitioners, and students as they explore how intercultural public relations contributes to organizational effectiveness and social change.

Public Relations in Asia Pacific reflects the growing professionalism in the practice of public relations in the world’s fastest expanding economy. It is a carefully drawn road map, both strategically and tactically, for all manner of entities, for profit and not-for-profit on how to establish and maintain effective relationships with their numerous stakeholders. Particularly insightful are the many examples of public relations in action within the Asia Pacific region. It’s a “must” read for those interested in public relations careers and those new to the profession; and it’s a first-rate refresher for the established professional. —Harold Burson, Founding Chairman, Burson-Marsteller Worldwide Mary Devereux and Anne Peirson-Smith have combined their considerable talents and experience to produce a bible of how public relations is—and should be—practiced in the Asia Pacific. One of its many virtues is that it debunks the myth that PR is just one long lunch hosted by caricature Svengalis and Spin Doctors. Rather, it sets the profession in a cultural context that will be valuable to those starting at PR 101, professionals and corporate executives who want to know how truth can be well told (with all due credit to McCann Erickson). —Kerry McGlynn, Special Adviser, Corporate Communication Department, Cathay Pacific Airways As greater social pluralism, stakeholder influence and internet driven consumer sophistication and empowerment grow relentlessly across nearly all Asian societies, Public Relations in Asia Pacific is a timely guide to the critical role of good public relations. Clear, helpful and with a wealth of good examples of how best practice PR in action can make real and tangible contributions to governments, businesses, NGOs as well as to ordinary people, this is essential reading for anyone concerned with how to communicate well in the world’s fastest growing economic region. —Tim Sutton, Chairman Asia Pacific, Weber Shandwick In an increasingly globalized world, public relations practices and strategies become critical for organizations to communicate effectively to their diverse audiences worldwide. This book is therefore an extremely timely and relevant contribution to PR students and practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region as it provides not only a comprehensive overview of the essential concepts and skills of public relations but also specific case studies which illustrate tactical uses of public relations across a wide range of issues and countries. In my opinion, this book fills a major gap in the understanding of public relations concepts and practices and will constitute a fundamental resource for all those who aspire to excel within the field. —Dr. Indrajit Banerjee, Secretary-General, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC)

This innovative text provides a structured and practical framework for understanding the complexities of contemporary public relations throughout the world and highlights the different approaches professionals must consider when communicating in different PR contexts.

Experiencing Public Relations examines the everyday experiences of PR practitioners in order to better understand how public relations is perceived by those outside and within the field. The book aims to provoke debate around the nature of public relations by looking at how it is defined at a theoretical level, compared to how it is lived and represented in the real world. Chapters feature work from some of the world’s leading public relations scholars. They cover a diverse range of subjects, such as representations of PR in fiction and film, terrorist use of public relations, the impact of social media on this medium and a study of ‘dirty work’ within the PR industry. The book also explores international PR practices, presenting analysis from contributors based in Australia, Germany, India, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, UAE, UK, USA and Venezuela. Experiencing Public Relations goes beyond the ‘frontstage’ scholarship of public relations to bring together stories of PR in daily life, revealing how influential theories work out in practice and translate into different cultural and social contexts. This book will provide researchers, professionals and students with a vital perspective on the inner workings of public relations today.

Culture and Public Relations explores the impact of culture - societal and organizational - through the global lens of public relations. With contributors from Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, this collection offers international perspectives on an increasingly important area. It is required reading for scholars, researchers, and students in public relations and business.

Increasing emphasis is now placed upon the need for cultural awareness in business communication. This innovative book re-examines the nature of culture, diversity, public relations and communicative effectiveness. It establishes a broad-based and culture-sensitive theory of communication for public relations. It goes on to analyze the influence of different cultural perspectives on public relations practice in internal communication, community relations, communicating with activist audiences and international programmes. Going beyond traditional views of culture and multiculturalism to develop a core concept of stigmatized differences, this book provides clear, practical guidelines for understanding and communicating in multicultural settings.