Routledge Handbook of Critical Public Relations

Critical theory has a long history, but a relatively recent intersection with public relations. This ground-breaking collection engages with commonalities and differences in the traditions, whilst encouraging plural perspectives in the contemporary public relations field.Compiled by a high-profile and widely respected team of academics and bringing together other key scholars from this field and beyond, this unique international collection marks a major stage in the evolution of critical public relations. It will increasingly influence how critical theory informs public relations and communication.The collection takes stock of the emergence of critical public relations alongside diverse theoretical traditions, critiques and actions, methodologies and future implications. This makes it an essential reference for public relations researchers, educators and students around a world that is becoming more critical in the face of growing inequality and environmental challenges. The volume is also of interest to scholars in advertising, branding, communication, consumer studies, cultural studies, marketing, media studies, political communication and sociology.

'It's hard to imagine a single book on PR with so many subjects and perspectives. Only the most purblind observer can ignore its power in the modern age. Public relations is in everyone's life, and is everyone's business. This book makes PR's 'invisible government' visible and potent, and proclaims the discipline’s intellectual liberation.' - Simon Moore, Associate Professor, Bentley University, USA'This collection of perspectives is nothing less than transformative. I know of no scholarly book that has equaled this book’s potential to rebrand public relations in the eyes of the world. The editors and the cadre of first-rate scholars have produced a landmark collection. It is a grand achievement that, at once, has the depth and imagination to not only reframe PR but to instruct and inspire its practitioners.' - Robert E. Brown, Professor, Communications and Public Relations, Salem State University, USA and author of The Public Relations of Everything 'Thomas Jefferson once stated "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." For those who practice public relations, The Routledge Handbook of Critical Public Relations is a very patriotic book.' - Anthony R. Pratkanis, Professor, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA

Jacquie L’Etang is Professor of Public Relations and Applied Communication at Queen Margaret University, UK.David McKie is Professor of Management Communication at the University of Waikato, New Zealand.Nancy Snow is Professor Emeritus of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, USA.Jordi Xifra is Professor of Public Relations at Pompeu Fabra University, Spain.