Overview of the Public Relations Function

This second edition of An Overview of the Public Relations Function examines current thought to help busy managers and students master the most important concepts of management in communication quickly, accessibly, and with an eye to helping an organization achieve excellence through cutting-edge, research-based strategic public relations management.

This book acquaints the manager with the lexicon of the field and provides research on the theory of public relations, its sub-functions, such as research or public affairs, and the ethical guideline CERT formula: Credibility, Ethics, Relationships, Trust.

It also examines the role of the chief communications officer (CCO) and leadership, organizational culture, structure, effectiveness, managing stakeholders and publics, using research to create strategy, and the four-step process of public relations management (“RACE”). Finally, the authors discuss the advanced management concepts of issues management, specialization in the sectors of public relations, managing values, deontological ethics, conducting moral analyses, and counseling management. They review what research found in regard to the most excellent ways to manage public relations and relationships: both beginning and ending with ethics.

Shannon A. Bowen, PhD, professor, University of South Carolina. In more than 100 publications, she focuses on ethical decision making within the highest level of organization.

Brad Rawlins, PhD, professor, Arkansas State University, chief academic officer of a branch campus, and author of many publications on transparency, trust, stakeholder prioritization, and publics.

Thomas R. Martin, executive-in-residence, College of Charleston, former vice president of corporate relations.