The traditional communication theory and the effective use of social media in public relations. A critical reflection


Book Description

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Communications - Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Social Media, grade: 1,7, Queen Margaret University, language: English, abstract: This paper aims to address the question, whether an understanding of traditional communication theory can contribute to the effective use of social media or not. The question will be addressed by utilising relevant theoretical frameworks as well as examining current developments and dominant debates within PR practice. In order to discuss this topic, it is first necessary to define what traditional communication theory is and what role it plays within PR practice. Thus, the assumption of PR to be an interdisciplinary study constituted of humanities, sociology and communication appears important. Whilst humanities studies focus on the viewpoint of rhetorical and discursive approaches and sociology studies understand communication in terms of systems process by adopting systems theory, communication studies address PR from different ‘mindsets’. Human communication is explained with psychological concepts; persuasion is considered to be a goal of both mediated and direct communication; and mass communication focuses on media relations theories and media effects. Derived from this we can conclude that communication theory can be identified as an element of PR practice. Correspondingly. the use of social media is a technique of building media relations, and therefore a subject of mass communication. However, these considerations do not explain which part of communication theory can be identified as traditional. Communication is inevitable in public relations (PR) practice, because it contributes to the building of good relationships between an organisation and its stakeholders with the desired outcome of “...earning understanding and support and influencing opinion and behavior”. PR practitioners manage relations to community, employees, consumer and other stakeholders by understanding and using communication concepts and strategies. Recently, the communication practice of PR practitioners has been challenged by the heavy influence of the revolutionary character of the internet. In other words, they face the challenge of adapting their communication strategies at the same pace as the new technologies and tools are developing. Especially “the rise of social media” provided a rich debate ground for PR practitioners, PR theorists and academics of different disciplines.




Social Media Communication


Book Description

In the second edition of Social Media Communication: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law and Ethics, Jeremy Harris Lipschultz presents a wide-scale, interdisciplinary analysis and guide to social media. Examining platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest, this book explores and analyzes journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising and marketing. Lipschultz focuses on key concepts, best practices, data analyses, law and ethics—all promoting the critical thinking professionals and students need to use new networking tools effectively and to navigate social and mobile media spaces. Featuring historical markers and contemporary case studies, essays from some of the industry’s leading social media innovators and a comprehensive glossary, this practical, multipurpose textbook gives readers the resources they’ll need to both evaluate and utilize current and future forms of social media. For more information about the book, supplementary updates and teaching materials, follow the Social Media Communication Facebook page, @JeremyHL on Twitter and the UNO Social Media Lab on SlideShare. Facebook: www.facebook.com/SocialMediaCommunication Twitter: @JeremyHL #UNOSML #SMC2018 #SMProfs SlideShare: www.slideshare.net/jeremylipschultz




Public Relations Theory


Book Description

Reflecting the ever-increasing changes in the public relations industry, this new text offers a fresh, up-to-date look at public relations theories as well as theories from related areas that impact public relations. Chapters move from the oldest areas of communication theory through newer models devoted to interpersonal, organizational, and mediated, up to the most current theories devoted to emerging media, including digital and social. Readers will learn how public relations and persuasion theories are at the heart of a practitioner’s day-to-day work, and see how a strong understanding of theories can make them more effective and strategic professionals.




Social Media Communication


Book Description

This updated third edition presents a wide-scale, interdisciplinary guide to social media. Examining platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube, the book analyzes social media's use in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising and marketing. Lipschultz focuses on key concepts, best practices, data analyses, law and ethics – all promoting the critical thinking that is needed to use new, evolving and maturing networking tools effectively within social and mobile media spaces. Featuring historical markers and contemporary case studies, essays from some of the industry’s leading social media innovators and a comprehensive glossary, this practical, multipurpose textbook gives readers the resources they will need to both evaluate and utilize current and future forms of social media communication. Among other changes, updates to the third edition include a deep dive into new approaches to analytics, as well as greater discussion of law and ethics in light of the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal, the roll-out of GDPR and new case law relating to social media. Social Media Communication is the perfect social media primer for students and professionals, and, with a dedicated teaching guide, ideal for instructors, too.




Social Media and Public Relations


Book Description

Social media is having a profound, but not yet fully understood impact on public relations. In the 24/7 world of perpetually connected publics, will public relations function as a dark art that spins (or tweets) self-interested variations of the truth for credulous audiences? Or does the full glare of the internet and the increasing expectations of powerful publics motivate it to more honestly engage to serve the public interest? The purpose of this book is to examine the role of PR by exploring the myriad ways that social media is reshaping its conceptualization, strategies, and tactics. In particular, it explores the dichotomies of fake and authentic, powerless and powerful, meaningless and meaningful. It exposes transgressions committed by practitioners—the paucity of digital literacy, the lack of understanding of the norms of social media, naivety about corporate identity risks, and the overarching emphasis on spin over authentic engagement. But it also shows the power that closely networked social media users have to insert information and opinion into discussions and force "false PR friends" to be less so. This timely, challenging, and fascinating book will be of interest to all students, researchers, and practitioners in Public Relations, Media, and Communication Studies. Winner of the 2016 NCA PRIDE Award for best book




Social Media and Interactive Communications


Book Description

The extent to which social media can potentially add value within various service contexts is not well understood. While at a general level it would seem that direct and immediate interactive communication with customers and stakeholders would be of benefit in terms of general communications, the integration of new media alongside more traditional marketing activities is not without difficulty. Many organisations appear seduced by what new technological communication channels are capable of but evidence suggests that those same organisations may have limited sensitivity to the appropriateness of employing social media to add value to the customers’ service experience. Launching social media initiatives appears low cost and fairly straightforward, technically, but managing the subsequent interactions and engagement appropriately, and indeed profitably, can often be beyond a firm’s resources and competencies. In this book the challenges of effectively managing interactive communications through social media is described in various service contexts, (e.g. healthcare, travel, small businesses) and within prevailing, yet ever more crucial marketing concepts, such as customer relationship management (CRM) and customer complaining behaviour. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Service Industries Journal.




Public Relations, Society & Culture


Book Description

Historically, public relations research has been dominated by organisational interests, treating the profession as a function to help organisations achieve their goals, and focusing on practice and processes first and foremost. Such research is valuable in addressing how public relations can be used more effectively by organisations and institutions, but has tended to neglect the consequences of the practice on the social world in which those organisations operate. This edited collection adds momentum to the emergent interest in the relationship between public relations, society and culture by bringing together a wide range of alternative theoretical and methodological approaches, including anthropology, storytelling, pragmatism and Latin American studies. The chapters draw on insights from a variety of disciplines including sociology, cultural studies, post-colonialism, political economy, ecological studies, feminism and critical race theory. Empirical contributions illustrate theoretical arguments with narratives and interview extracts from practitioners, resulting in an engaging text that will provide inspiration for scholars and students to explore public relations in new ways. Public Relations, Society and Culture makes an essential contribution to a range of scholarly fields and illustrates the relevance of public relations to matters beyond its organisational function. It will be highly useful to students and scholars of public relations as well as cultural studies, ethnicity/‘race’ communication, media studies, development communication, anthropology, and organisational communication. This insightful book will make a significant contribution to debates about the purpose and practice of public relations in the new century.




Social Media Communication


Book Description

Examines the social media mechanism and how it is transforming communication in an increasingly networked society Social Media Communication: Trends and Theories explores how social media is transforming the way people think and behave. Providing students with an in-depth understanding of the mechanism underlying social media, this comprehensive textbook uses a multidisciplinary approach to examine social media use in a wide range of communication and business contexts. Each chapter is based on original research findings from the author as well as recent work in communication studies, neuroscience, information science, and psychology. Divided into two parts, the text first describes the theoretical foundation of social media use, discussing the impact of social media on information processing, social networking, cognition, interpersonal and group communication, the media industry, and business marketing. The second half of the book focuses on research-based strategies for effectively using social media in communication and business such as the news industry, heath care, and social movements. Offering detailed yet accessible coverage of how digital media technology is changing human communication, this textbook: Helps readers make the best use of social media tools in communication and business practices Introduces more than a dozen theories in the areas of communication, psychology, and sociology to highlight the theoretical frameworks researchers use in social media studies Identifies a variety of trends involving social media usage, including the app economy and patient care Addresses the relation between social media and important contemporary topics such as cultural diversity, privacy, and social change Presents 14 imperative social media topics, each with the power to change the ways you see and use social media Social Media Communication: Trends and Theories is the perfect textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses in communication, business, journalism, business, and information science and technology. It is also an invaluable resource for researchers, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, and professionals working in media management, advertising, public relations, and business marketing.




Putting the Public Back in Public Relations


Book Description

Learn how to add value in the Web 2.0 world and prove that PR is a valuable resource in your organization. *Integrate PR 2.0 strategies into traditional outreach to create best practices for communication. *Learn to use the new tools of social networking for building relationships, breaking your news, and shaping brands. *Written by two top industry experts who are recognized for their thinking and their work in both PR and technology circles.




Social Media and Crisis Communication


Book Description

The second edition of this vital text integrates theory, research, and application to orient readers to the latest thinking about the role of social media in crisis communication. Specific crisis arenas such as health, corporate, nonprofit, religious, political, and disaster are examined in depth, along with social media platforms and newer technology. Social Media and Crisis Communication, Second Edition provides a fresh look at the role of visual communication in social media and a more global review of social media and crisis communication literature. With an enhanced focus on the ethics section, a short communication overview piece, and case studies for each area of application, it is practical for use in a variety of learning settings. A must-read for scholars, advanced students, and practitioners who wish to stay on the leading edge of research, this book will appeal to those in public relations, strategic communications, corporate communications, government and NGO communications, and emergency and disaster response.