Public Affairs in Practice explains how public affairs (PA) is now much more than just political lobbying. Modern PA includes working with other policy-making bodies, such as regulators, commercial organizations and other interested parties. This is the first book to examine the methods PA professionals use to make an impact. It takes each area of the industry in turn and looks at the tools involved in delivering a PA programme. It also highlights the potential benefits of public affairs, such as protecting an organization from perceived threats of new regulation; identifying new market opportunities; and raising the profile of an organization. Case studies and tips from industry professionals make this a practical "how to" guide for practitioners at all levels and students. Importantly, the authors consider not only established markets the US, UK and Western Europe but also the opportunities presented to companies from these countries by the EU accession states and China, where there are currently very few PA professionals. Finally, there is a discussion of future trends and developments in PA.

... a comprehensive, `insider's view' of the array of techniques that can be used to influence governmental policies and decisions. The text describes the origins of lobbying and illustrates the resources and tactics that are used by state and federal lobbyists. The reader learns `the ins and outs' of coalitions, grassroots strategy and political action committees. Mack concludes with a visionary look at lobbying in the future and presents a very useful summary of `Sources and Resources' that are useful in government relations work. Corporate Public Issues Written for executives of corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and other organizations interested in influencing legislation and regulations, this book is a comprehensive handbook on the array of techniques and technologies that can be used to influence governmental policies and decisions. Mack describes how to start or revitalize government relations programs at the federal, state, or local levels and presents a variety of tools designed to maximize the reader's understanding of how particular processes can be applied in practice, including step-by-step guidance and several models. Thorough coverage of issues such as planning, organization, and analysis as well as detailed information about specific government relations techniques, particularly direct lobbying, make this an invaluable resource that belongs on the bookshelf of every corporate executive with a need to start, reassess, or revitalize government relations programs in their companies; executives and leaders of trade associations, labor unions, public interest groups, and other organizations with a similar need; government officials, including legislators and their staffs, with an interest in exploring how the private sector approaches government relations; civic and community leaders wishing to learn how the lobbying process operates; and political science students, both graduate and undergraduate, with a need for a practical book on the lobbying arts to supplement the many scholarly works on interest group analysis. Mack emphasizes the importance of sound advance planning and mobilization of resources and explains how to analyze needs, how to research and evaluate the importance of issues, how to develop lobbying strategies, and how to manage a government relations staff. A special section on Sources and Resources lists a variety of publications, periodicals, information services, and organizations that can aid in the research process. Specific techniques are covered in-depth including different forms of direct lobbying, lobbying at the federal and state levels, the utilization of coalitions and trade associations, grass-roots lobbying, and the use of political action committees. Mack concludes with a look at the future, exploring the new forces and issues confronting government relations practitioners and the new technologies drawn from marketing and politics that will revolutionize the field by the end of the century.

Exploring the increasing interest in public affairs by organizations, the author indicates that more and more frequently corporations are establishing public affairs positions - typically within public relations departments - to respond to issues and concerns arising out of the sociopolitical environment in which the corporation functions.

This collection of essays by communication professionals significantly helps build a theory about the growing convergance of communications expertise focused on public policymaking. Practical Public Affairs in an Era of Change discusses how public affairs and public relations are halves of one whole, explores developments in the field, and addresses challenges facing the profession. Set against a backdrop of stunning changes in communications technology and plummeting popular faith in political leaders and institutions, this volume provides extraordinary and informative insight into the fields of public affairs and public relations. The volume will introduce newcomers to the field and prove to be an invaluable resource for those already involved. Co-published with the Public Relations Society of America.

Drawing on the expertise of leading figures in the field, this handbook provides an overview of public affairs and government relations for students, CEOs, association executives, politicians, lobbyists and business managers.

The growing need for a concise and comprehensive overview of the world of interest groups, lobbying, and public affairs called for a compendium of existing research, key theories, concepts, and case studies. This project is the first transnational encyclopedia to offer such an interdisciplinary and wide overview of these topics, including perspectives on public relations, crisis management, communication studies, as well as political science, political marketing, and policy studies. It is an interdisciplinary work, which involved an extraordinary pool of contributors made up of leading scholars and practitioners from all around the globe; it is a live and evolving project focused on drawing together grounded international knowledge for our diverse and developing world. The 200+ entries of the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Interest Groups, Lobbying and Public Affairs (to be found as a live reference work online here, and in two print volumes in 2022) address these research avenues, tackling a growing demand for a comprehensive international reference work regarding key global sectors and policymaking structures, looking beyond the traditional markets of Europe and North America to incorporate practice and research from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America. This encyclopedia acts as a synthesis of existing research, and aims to aid academics, students, and practitioners navigate their relevant fields around the globe.