The Routledge Handbook of Critical Public Relations

Timely, authoritative and provocative, this major volume meets the emerging need for an introduction to critical public relations, to look at the diverse perspectives in the field and to construct a tentative mapping of possible ways forward.  This book takes stock of how, and where, critical public relations has emerged via three main foci: theoretical traditions; critique and action; along with methodological and future implications.

Compiled by a high-profile and widely respected team of academics and bringing together the key scholars in the field, this comprehensive international collection will be a major contribution to forming and directing how critical theory increasingly informs public relations and communication. It is an essential reference for educators, scholars and students around the world in the field of public relations and critical theory. Also of interest to scholars in advertising, communication, consumer studies, cultural studies, marketing, media studies and sociology.

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.