Books
David R. Yale, Andrew J. Caruthers, The Publicity Handbook, New Edition: the Inside Scoop from more than 100 Journalists and PR Pros on How to Get Great Publicity Coverage 2nd ed. (New York: McGraw Hill, 2001) Interviews with journalists and publicists show readers at any skill level how to create valuable publicity. Covers how to deal with crisis situations, press conferences, media events and more.
Stuart Ewen, PR! A Social History of Spin (New York: Basic Books, 1996) Ewen, a professor of media studies, traces the evolution of public relations throughout the twentieth century from a critical, political-economic perspective.
John C. Stauber and Sheldon Rampton, Toxic Sludge is Good for You! : Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry (Monroe, ME: CommonCourage Press, 2002). An expose of what the authors call the "propaganda-for-hire" industry.
Larry Tye, The Father of Spin: Edward L. Bernays & the Birth of Public Relations (New York: Holt Paperbacks, 2002) Tye, a reporter, for The Boston Globe, says "Bernays generated events, the events generated news, and the news generated a demand for whatever he happened to be selling."
Dennis L. Wilcox and Glen T. Cameron, Public Relations: Strategies and Tactics 9th ed. (Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2008)
A comprehensive summary of public relations concepts, theory, principles, history, management, and practices. Includes extensive examples and case studies.
Films, Videos, and DVDsManufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1994) Documentary examining the famous professor's view of media deception. Features interviews with Bill Moyers, William F. Buckley Jr., Tom Wolfe, and Peter Jennings.
The Candidate (1972, rated PG) Robert Redford is an idealist who is seduced into running for the U.S. Senate. He is promised a campaign with absolute integrity, since he has no hope of winning. But when his chances change, so does his strategy.
Primary Colors (1998, rated R) John Travolta and Emma Thompson doing passable imitations of Bill and Hilary Clinton during his 1992 presidential run, as seen through the eyes of an idealistic young aide.
Wag the Dog (1997, rated R) Before an election, a spin doctor (Robert DeNiro) and a Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman) join efforts to fabricate a war to cover up a presidential sex scandal. The movie satirizes both Hollywood and Washington PR.
A Civil Action (1998, rated PG) John Travolta as a crusading lawyer engaged in a fight with a large corporation; both sides fight with public relations as well as legal tactics.
