Provides a structured approach to understanding public relations and corporate communications. Focus is on professional skills development and approaches that are widely recognised as 'best practice'. Original methods are considered alongside well established procedures to ensure the changing requirements of contemporary practice are reflected.

The Public Relations Strategic Toolkit provides a structured approach to understanding public relations and corporate communications. The focus is on professional skills development as well as approaches that are widely recognised as 'best practice'. Original methods are considered alongside well established procedures to ensure the changing requirements of contemporary practice are reflected. Split into four parts covering the public relations profession, campaign planning, corporate communication and stakeholder engagement, this textbook covers everything involved in the critical practice of public relations in an accessible manner. Features include: definitions of key terms contemporary case studies insight from practitioners handy checklists practical activities and assignments Covering the practicalities of using traditional and social media as well as international considerations, ethics, and PR within contexts from politics to charities, this guide gives you all the critical and practical skills you need to introduce you to a career in public relations.

Examines trends that can reshape society and offers an understanding of the dynamics to prepare future leaders.

In this updated edition of the successful Public Relations Handbook, a detailed introduction to the theories and practices of the public relations industry is given. Broad in scope, it; traces the history and development of public relations, explores ethical issues which affect the industry, examines its relationships with politics, lobbying organisations and journalism, assesses its professionalism and regulation, and advises on training and entry into the profession. It includes: interviews with press officers and PR agents about their working practices case studies, examples, press releases and illustrations from a range of campaigns including Railtrack, Marks and Spencer, Guinness and the Metropolitan Police specialist chapters on financial public relations, global PR, business ethics, on-line promotion and the challenges of new technology over twenty illustrations from recent PR campaigns. In this revised and updated practical text, Alison Theaker successfully combines theoretical and organisational frameworks for studying public relations with examples of how the industry works in practice.

Praise for PR 2.0 “An ‘easy read’ filled with practical examples of how marketing professionals can leverage these new tools to enhance PR activities. The ‘Interviews with the Experts’ sections were especially useful in helping to highlight how companies have benefited from PR2.0.” Maura Mahoney, Senior Director, RCN Metro Optical Networks “P.R. 2.0 is a must-read for any marketing or PR professional. It is filled with expert advice, real-world examples, and practical guidance to help us better understand the new media tools and social networking concepts available and how we can use them for our specific branding needs. This book is excellent for someone who is trying to understand the new web-based media and social networking concepts, as well those who are experienced in applying the new media tools and are curious about what everyone else is doing and what tools are producing the best ROI. This isn’t a book filled with simple tips and tricks--it’s an essential guidebook for the marketing/PR professional to better understand the new media options and how to apply them effectively to achieve results.” Jenny Fisher, Director Sales and Marketing Operations, Catalent Pharma Solutions “Wading through the thicket of expanding Internet tools--from MySpace to Facebook, from Twitter to Flickr--is no easy challenge. And once you finally understand these strange new art forms, how the heck do you harness them? Answer: You buy this book. Deirdre Breakenridge knows the Net--how to measure it, monitor it, and use it to maximize public relations performance. Best of all, she explains it in a style that even a Luddite can comprehend.” Fraser P. Seitel, author of The Practice of Public Relations and coauthor of IdeaWise The New Future of Public Relations! In today’s Web 2.0 world, traditional methods of communication won’t reach your audiences, much less convince them. Here’s the good news: Powerful new tools offer you an unprecedented opportunity to start a meaningful two-way conversation with everyone who matters to you. In PR 2.0, Deirdre Breakenridge helps you master these tools and use them to the fullest possible advantage in all your public relations work. You’ll learn the best ways to utilize blogs, social networking, online newswires, RSS technology, podcasts, and the rest of today’s Web 2.0 tools. Breakenridge shows how to choose the right strategies for each PR scenario and environment, keep the best Web 1.0 tools, and stop using outmoded tactics that have rapidly become counterproductive. Breakenridge introduces an extraordinary array of new PR best practices, including setting up online newsrooms, using visual and social media in releases, and leveraging new online research and analytics tools. She offers powerful new ways to think about PR, plan for it, and react to the new PR challenges the Web presents. Breakenridge also includes interviews with today’s leading PR 2.0 practitioners. PR 1.0 vs. PR 2.0 Identify the needs of companies and clients, and how to integrate them for greatest effectiveness Reaching today’s crucial wired media Powerful new strategies for pitching and media distribution Best uses of traditional PR tactics Better ways to use viral marketing, online newsletters, e-blasts, VNRs, and webcasts PR 2.0: Making the most of the newest tools Interactive online newsrooms, visual media, blogs, RSS, podcasts, and beyond Social media: Your new 24/7 focus panel Powerful new ways to capture emerging customer desires and needs

This title, by social marketing pioneer Deirdre Breakenridge, teaches and demonstrates the eight new skills and mindsets PR/marketing pros need to build brands and engage customers in a social world.

Written from a real-world perspective by an award-winning copywriter/producer/director, this comprehensive guide is what every writer needs to create powerful, strategic ad copy. Focusing on strategy, technique, and the skills needed to write for different media, The Copywriter’s Toolkit book will sharpen your copywriting skills whatever your level. Introduces essential conceptual strategies and key writing techniques for result-driven copy Provides practical advice on writing for specific media including: print, radio, TV, websites, blogs, social media, ambient, digital, direct mail, product packaging, and viral marketing Covers all areas of copy development: on-strategy and on-target messaging; headline and slogan creation; brand personality and tone of voice; broadcast production conceptualization and print / digital typesetting consideration Presents innovative visual examples from exciting multimedia campaigns, comments from copywriters at world-renowned agencies, inspiring radio scripts, TV scripts and storyboards, effective blog posts, imaginative package copy, and more Shares invaluable writing tips and insights from award-winning copywriters currently at global agencies Includes supplementary website an instructor’s manual, sample syllabus, PowerPoint presentations, and creative assignments, as well as student study aids, flashcards, podcasts and/or webinars by the author, and links to sample and featured campaigns, agencies, and related videos