Encyclopedia of Public Relations
Author(s): Robert L. Heath
- Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
- Publication Date: October 12, 2004
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 1128 pages
- ISBN-10: 0761927336
- ISBN-13: 9780761927334
Book Description
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The Encyclopedia of Public Relations explores the evolution of the Public Relation field, with examples from history describing events, changing practices, and the key figures who developed and expanded the profession. This two-volume set is the first and most authoritative compilation of the subject and is a must-have for any library serving patrons in business, communication, and journalism.
The encyclopedia explores key challenges facing the profession of public relations and its practitioners, such as earning the trust and respect of critics and the general public. Opinions about PR are as diverse as the issues addressed by the people and organizations in the field. One good example is ethics (decision-making, creation of meaning, etc.), and the popular notion that many PR practitioners use their skills to deliberately misinform the public. In contrast, public relations professionals also have an integral role in social responsibility, such as notifying the public of climate or public health concerns. These volumes go into great depth about such ethical policies and challenges. In fact, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) operates under a specific code of ethics―full details of which are included in an appendix.
The Encyclopedia of Public Relations has also been put together with the knowledge that PR does not exclusively reside in the United States. Major international figures, research, and organizations play a key part in the project. Led by renowned editor Robert Heath (University of Houston), with advisory editors and contributors from around the world, this set is designed to reach a wide array of readers who can serve as opinion leaders for improving the image and ethics of the practice. It is intended to be an honest but positively biased treatment of public relations, with an appreciative view of what public relations is and does.
Topics Covered
* Crisis Communications and Management
* Cyberspace
* Ethics
* Global Public Relation
* Groups
* History
* Jargon
* Management
* Media
* News
* Organizations
* Practitioners
* Relations
* Reports
* Research
* Theories and Models
Advisory Board
Elizabeth L. Toth, Syracuse University
John Madsen, Rock Island, IL
Dean Kruckeberg, University of Northern Iowa
Kirk Hallahan, Colorado State University
Timothy Coombs, Eastern Illinois University
Shannon A. Bowen, University of Houston
A.A. (Betteke) van Ruler, Free University Amsterdam
Kathleen S. Kelly, University of Florida
Editorial Reviews
Some may view public relations as the manipulation of public opinion, while others see it as the conduit for successful communication between organizations and their clients. Regardless of one's opinion, the Encyclopedia of Public Relations provides the facts, opinions, and data for a thoughtful analysis of the profession. According to the editor, "this work intends to provide an honest but positively biased treatment of public relations." And so it does.
Nearly 500 articles cover topics in the fields of communication, advertising, marketing, and politics. Articles are arranged alphabetically, each is signed, and many come with a bibliography and see also references. The primary focus is on public relations in the U.S.; however, some entries highlight the practice of public relations abroad. Terminology (Logo, Market share, Press kit) and theories and models (Game theory, Health belief model) get substantial attention. Also treated are individuals (Roger Ailes, P. T. Barnum); organizations (Federal Communications Commission, PR Newswire); and historical aspects (Exxon and the Valdez crisis, Railroad industry in the 19th century). Illustrations consist of a few black-and-white photographs and tables.
Several appendixes offer additional content, among them "The Public Relations Society of America Code of Ethics," "Milestones in the History of Public Relations," and "Public Relations Online Resources." The "Reader's Guide" that precedes the entries groups entry headings under recurring public relations themes such as Ethics, Jargon, and management.
The Encyclopedia of Public Relations will complement titles such as The Encyclopedia of Communication and Information (Macmillan, 2001). Recommended for academic and large public libraries. Sue Polanka
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"The Encyclopedia of Public Relations provides the facts, opinions, and data for a thoughtful analysis of the profession. According to the editor, ′this work intends to provide an honest but positively biased treatment of public relations.′ And so it does. . . . Recommended for academic and large public libraries." -- Sue Polanka ― BOOKLIST Published On: 2005-04-15
For academic purposes, a good subject encyclopedia should describe the theory, practice and development of a discipline. If aimed at students, such tools should also provide the foundation for further research. With this groundbreaking guide to public relations, Robert Heath has accomplished all these tasks in exemplary fashion. . . . This outstanding set is highly recommended to academic and large public libraries. -- John R.M. Lawrence ―
Lawrence Looks at Books Published On: 2005-05-01
"Its emphasis is on historical, philosophical, and theoretical aspects of the field. What we have here then is an encyclopedia that continues the gulf between the academic world, the profession, and the public. " -- Ray E. Hiebert ― Science Direct Published On: 2006-06-22
About the Author
Robert L. Heath, professor emeritus of communication at the University of Houston, is an internationally recognized authority on public relations, crisis communication, issues management, risk communication, and business-to-business communication. He has published many award-winning books, including The SAGE Handbook of Public Relations (2010), Handbook of Risk and Crisis Communication (2009), Strategic Issues Management (2nd ed., 2009), Rhetorical and Critical Approaches to Public Relations II (2009), and Terrorism: Communication and Rhetorical Perspectives (2008).
Heath has 3 decades′ experience in corporate communication and positioning research. He has conducted research on risks related to various hazards, including those associated with chemical manufacturing and community right-to-know―key themes in community relations. In addition, he has published more than 100 chapters and articles and serves on the editorial and reviewer panels of several premier academic journals. He has received many honors from public relations professionals and academic associations and has lectured nationally and internationally on a wide array of topics.
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