In a world that is increasingly wary of artificial intelligence (AI), this book explores the pressing need for strategic communicators to move away from being advocates for AI and move towards a more critical activist role that enables them to counter AI-driven threats to communities and relationships. AI is contributing to inequality, misinformation and environmental damage, among other problems. This book argues that strategic communicators are uniquely placed to help counter AI-driven challenges because of their skills in relationship-building and their ability to craft and deliver messages effectively. By discussing the different professional activist approaches that communicators can take in relation to growing AI challenges, the book offers multiple perspectives that will help to build knowledge in diverse settings and develop practice, especially in community and activist strategic communication. Research-based and combining theory with practice, this thought-provoking book will be welcomed by strategic communication scholars and practitioners alike eager to develop a critical approach to the challenges surrounding AI.

This concise text provides an accessible introduction to artificial intelligence and intelligent user interfaces (IUIs) and how they are at the heart of a communication revolution for strategic communications and public relations. IUIs are where users and technology meet – via computers, phones, robots, public displays, etc. They use AI and machine learning methods to control how those systems interact, exchange data, learn from, and develop relations with users. The authors explore research and developments that are already changing human/machine engagement in a wide range of areas from consumer goods, healthcare, and entertainment to community relations, crisis management, and activism. They also explore the implications for public relations of how technologies developing hyper-personalised persuasion could be used to make choices for us, navigating the controversial space between influence, nudging, and controlling. This readable overview of the applications and implications of AI and IUIs will be welcomed by researchers, students, and practitioners in all areas of strategic communication, public relations, and communications studies.

Taking stock of the technological, political, economic, and social trends that exist today, this book extends the discussion to analyze and predict how these trends will affect the public relations and strategic communication industry of the future. This book is divided into two sections, the first addressing such key topics as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, political polarization, and misinformation, the second looking at key facets of the profession, such as media relations, crisis communication, and measurement and evaluation. Leading researchers in the discipline share their analysis of these topics while also providing theoretically based and practically relevant insights on how the industry must evolve to keep up with, and perhaps anticipate, changes in culture, society, and technology. This book will be of interest to scholars, industry professionals, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in public relations and strategic communication.

Strategic communication is becoming more relevant in communication sciences, though it needs to deepen its reflective practices, especially considering its potential in a VUCA world — volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The capillary, holistic and result-oriented nature that portrays this scientific field has led to the imperative of expanding knowledge about the different approaches, methodologies and impacts in all kinds of organisations when strategic communication is applied. Therefore Strategic Communication in Context: Theoretical Debates and Applied Research assembles several studies and essays by renowned authors who explore the topic from different angles, thus testing the elasticity of the concept. Moreover, this group of authors represents various schools of thought and geographies, making this book particularly rich and cross-disciplinary.

Strategic communication as a research field and a professional practice is becoming increasingly relevant for organizations. Bringing together contributions from almost 60 leading international scholars, this dynamic Research Handbook on Strategic Communication is a timely contribution to a vivid and developing academic field.

Taking a DEI-first approach, this book teaches students to become culturally proficient communicators by approaching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with intentionality in every aspect of strategic communications. Those who work in strategic communications play a powerful role in shaping public perceptions and thus have a crucial responsibility to understand and practice the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work. This book introduces students to DEI theories and concepts and guides them through applying these concepts to communications research, planning, and execution. Chapters in the book align with the courses and competencies most often taught in advertising and public relations programs. It also includes chapters on “Inclusive Leadership” and “Working on Diverse Teams,” as students will need these competencies when working on group class projects and in preparing for internships. The concluding chapter on “Communicating for Social Change” allows students to look beyond advertising and PR as corporate-centered disciplines and expand their understanding of the power of communications to advocate for social justice and change. Ideal for students at the undergraduate level with relevance to graduate students as well, the book can be used as a stand-alone text in DEI communications courses, as a supplement to core advertising or public relations texts, or in modules in advanced communications courses. Online materials for instructors include teaching tips, suggested discussions and activities, student assignments, sample quizzes, and video links. They are available at www.routledge.com/9781032533865.

Engaging Employees through Strategic Communication provides a detailed overview of employee communication and its evolution as a tool to drive employee engagement and successful change management. Approaching the subject with the philosophy that internal audiences are essential to the success of any strategic communication plan and business strategy—particularly as they relate to driving change—Mark Dollins and Jon Stemmle give readers a working knowledge of employee communication strategies, skills, and tactics in ways that prepare students for careers in this rapidly expanding field. Providing the tools necessary to evaluate the impact of successful employee communication campaigns, they put theory and cutting-edge research into action with practical examples and case studies sourced from award-winning entries judged as best-in-class by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PRWeek, and PRNews. The book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in internal, corporate, or employee communication courses and will be a useful reference for practitioners who want to understand how to carry out effective employee communication engagement and change-management campaigns. Please visit www.engage-employees.com to learn more about the book and its applications.