Public Relations, 4th Edition

2A brief history of public relations in Australia and New Zealand

Mark Sheehan

In this chapter

1. Introduction
2. Beginnings of public relations
3. Lobbying
4. The oil industry
5. The banks
6. Social justice and environmentalism
7. Professionalisation and education
8. Public relations pioneers and leaders
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Public relations is regarded by some as arriving with mass media. Others note that since the time humanity had the urge to convey messages it has required public relations, while still others believe the need to communicate with persuasion created an atmosphere that allowed public relations to develop. Newsom, Turk and Kruckeberg (2007: 25) claim that ‘various functions and uses of public relations have certainly existed throughout civilised society’. ...