Introduction to Public Relations

Introduction to Public Relations in New Media Environment
Welcome! In this section, we are covering the nuts and bolts of the PR industry. We will learn what Public Relations is, what a PR job looks like, and what are the trends in the PR industry. We will describe the PR process and look at the different steps of the process. Finally, we will also learn about how technology and global culture are shaping the practice of Public Relations.

Public Relations Theory
Now that we have had an overview of the PR profession and industry trends, let’s explore some of the main theories of PR that will help us better understand the PR process and the underlying mechanisms of PR. We will also learn about theories of mass media and public opinion. You will see how practical many of these theories are! In this section, I encourage you to keep thinking about the practical relevance of the theories you are picking up.

Public Relations Strategy
An important part of the Public Relations process is strategy. In this section, we will learn about the key elements of PR strategy and the role of research in guiding effective strategy. We will study the steps of PR planning and how to create a PR plan.

Public Relations Tactics, Trends, and Skills for the Future
Now comes the real fun! Once we have learned about strategy, we can turn our attention to the creative part of the PR process. How can we develop innovative and impactful tactics that are aligned with our strategic plan? We will learn to implement strategy through tactics. We will also explore the directions in which the PR industry is moving and the PR skills of the future.