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The article presents a case study on the perception and evaluation parameters of communication management by general directors of trade fair organizations affiliated with the International Association of Trade Fairs of America AFIDA, which brings together more than fifty organizations in Latin America, Spain and Portugal. A bibliographical review of various theories, models, and studies on the measurement and evaluation of communication was carried out. The emphasis has been placed on publications made in the present century with the aim of identifying and parameterizing how to measure, evaluate and assess communication management. The studies and proposals made in the present century were analyzed, focusing on whether there is a clear methodology to measure communication, and the interest in measurement. The state of strategic communication in the professional field, the characteristics of excellent communication, and the follow-up to the key aspects of the profession have been examined. Trends, roles and best practices of the profession, budgets, and functions of communication measurement and evaluation. In addition, several substantial inputs for communication management and evaluation have been identified as the Barcelona principles which have been reissued and updated twice. The framework for monitoring communication that presents several levels of impact for the measurement and evaluation of communication. The culture of active listening to stakeholders recommended by the Melbourne Mandate. In recent years, new contributions have been made, such as the Integrated Evaluation Framework, the global model of public relations and communication and several strategic communication impact indicators, among others. With this information, the proposal of components for the measurement and evaluation of strategic communication management was constructed as a theoretical contribution, consisting of twenty variables grouped into six components: management function of communication, diagnostic research, approach to objectives, results to be obtained, evaluation methods and results report. Each of them represents a parameter that allows self-assessment and determination of whether the communication management of an organization reaches the strategic level. The proposal Components of the measurement and evaluation of strategic communication management, represents the theoretical basis on which the case study of the present investigation is carried out, which has as objectives to know the perception and the evaluation parameters of the management of the communication from the perspective of the general directors of the fair organizations affiliated to the International Association of Fairs of America, Spain and Portugal AFIDA. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with directors of trade fair organizations that are or have been members of AFIDA's board of directors and who attended the 51st Latin American Congress of the Trade Fair and Convention Industry, held in Bogota in April 2022. A survey was also applied to the remaining CEOs attending the congress. The information-gathering instruments included questions regarding to the influence and competence of the communication directors, department budget, alignment of communication objectives, results to be obtained, evaluation methods, and communication results reports. The most relevant results show that the directors' perception of communication management is more operational than strategic, the main function of the communication director is to advise top management, communication objectives have little alignment with organizational objectives and there is a weakness on the part of the Dircoms to manage and include organizational and financial indexes in the reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of public relations and technology, the question arises more and more often whether the media, which provide the most dynamic opportunity for communication between state bodies and citizens, have not replaced the formally established three authorities that form the basis of any democratic society. The metaphor “Fourth Estate” most clearly shows the need for independent control, on behalf of the public, over the other three powers – the judicial, legislative and executive. Thus, it is important to note that information campaigns designed to manipulate public opinion with false or misleading social media posts have become a standard political practice. The media are called upon to be an objective corrective and an expression of the public interest, even if this may bring about political change. An emblematic example of this is the research and revelations of two Washington Post journalists (Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein), who provoked the Watergate scandal and led to US President Nixon's resignation in 1974. Today, the Fourth Estate has more power than ever to be a mediator possessing access to the authorities and the people it must serve. An example of this are the recent US presidential elections. But the Fourth Estate is also an indicator of truth in today's digital society, where news spreads in seconds and the social media raise the question as to whether it is possible to control information without affecting its truthfulness and reliability. The question is, are the media and technological giants not actually the new rulers and the foremost power [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Digital and social media are reported to be the most important communication channels. • However, practitioners report low to moderate skills in using social media. • Practice focus is on technical skills, tactics, and one-way messaging. • Therefore, major gaps exist between practice and theory. • Future directions for theory and practice are explored. Abstract A number of studies of the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), competencies and capabilities of public relations and communication professionals have been carried out in the USA, UK and other countries. However, most have not engaged to any significant extent with literature in the human resource development field which specializes in defining and developing these characteristics. Also, few studies to date have related the KSAs, competencies and capabilities of practitioners to the key activities of public relations and communication management required for the future. This article presents findings and analysis from a regional survey conducted in 22 Asia-Pacific countries in 2017/18 that compared, for the first time, the capabilities of practitioners in relation to activities identified as the most important over the next three years. This data, and comparison with equivalent regional surveys in Europe and Latin America, confirm a gap in capabilities in relation to key communication activities and suggest a gap in theory as well as practice. The findings and conclusions present a challenge for higher education and professional development for public relations and communication management and point to potential future directions in theory building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Crisis team members at the P-12 level face challenges created by media interest in school crisis events. • Sensationalism, seeking alternative routes to information, and framing are key challenges school crisis team members face in working with the media. • Administrators focus on creating media plans and building relationships with the media pre-crisis. • Post-crisis, crisis team members develop messages focused on being accurate but guarded, and communicating reassurance and reunification. Abstract Schools at the P-12 level increasingly face crises related to school shootings, violence, and other tragedies. Understanding the communication challenges schools face is paramount to assisting schools with communication before, during, and after crisis events. The current study focuses on the challenges created by media interest in such crises and the strategies implemented to overcome these challenges and provide responsible information to stakeholders. Interviews conducted with 21 school crisis teams at the P-12 level revealed that sensationalism, seeking alternative routes to information, and framing were key challenges in working with the media. In light of these challenges, administrators focused on creating media plans, building relationships with the media, being accurate but guarded, and communicating reassurance and reunification. Implications are discussed for school districts nationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Based on an online survey of a random sample of the PRSA membership, this study is among the first to explore practitioners' own turnover intention. • Supportive organizational environment, trust, and work-life enrichment directly affected practitioners' decision to stay. • Other contributing factors than work environment, trust, and work-life enrichment should also be examined in future studies. • It is also critical to explore individual' nuanced experiences and develop communication strategies targeted toward different demographics. • Top management, internal communication managers, and industry leaders can play an instrumental role in using the results of the study. Abstract Based on an online survey of a national random sample of the PRSA membership (n = 650), this study is among the first to explore public relations employees' own turnover intention and propose three contributing factors for employers to keep top talent in PR industry: a family-supportive organizational environment; the positive, enriching impact of professional work upon practitioners' life; and PR practitioners' trust toward employers. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how personalisation, blame avoidance and institutional constraints collide in contemporary government communication practices. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a Norwegian ministry, it analyses how a central government agency manages the media during critical news campaigns featuring individuals suffering from inadequate public health services. To provide a comprehensive analysis of the particular limits and aims of government communication, the article combines perspectives from public agency studies with media research on personalisation. It finds that the need to be visible and demonstrate agency in the media drive personalisation strategies towards a strong focus on government leaders, while simplifying the representation of complex government organisation and processes. At the same time, institutional constraints and the formal delegation of responsibility limit the communication repertoire available for public agencies when critical human interest stories dominate in the media. This results in a standard type of unconvincing media performance, where incumbents appear to evade direct personal responsibility. The case study provides new knowledge on dilemmas, negotiations and strategies behind government communication, illuminating how competing interests play out in a rapidly changing media landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of internal communication research has flourished during the past decade, and scholars have examined the role of internal communication in affecting employee and organizational outcomes. Despite the increasing literature, knowledge, and research of internal communication in Latin America is largely missing. Given this reality, this study explored the status of internal communication in Latin America through the lens of 20 experienced internal communication professionals from nine Latin American countries. Taking a multi-iteration consensus-building approach, this Delphi study enabled the expert panel to individually elaborate and collectively evaluate shared observations regarding the definition, characteristics, importance, and current reality of the field. Specifically, this study examined how practitioners define and understand internal communication, the skills and knowledge needed to perform internal communication, the value of internal communication, and the state of internal communication practice in Latin America. The findings of the current study enriched and diversified the extant body of knowledge that is U.S. and European-centered. • Examined internal communication practices in nine Latin American countries. • Top knowledge and skills needed for internal communication were presented. • Practitioners recognized the strategic value of internal communication. • Internal communication in Latin America has progressed in the past decade. • Measurement remains overlooked for many organizations in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article is to analyze the promotional communication on OP (organic products) market, considering some aspects of the announcement, eco-label, message, advertising, sales promotion, public relations and participation in fairs and exhibitions. It is based on the investigation of secondary sources of specialized literature regarding promotional communication techniques used in the market of organic food products. The paper highlights that implementation of several promotional communication strategies is vital in terms of raising people awareness in OP market. It explores factors that determine the success or failure of a promotional communication campaign in OP market as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing mutual understanding is one of the main goals of public relations and it is grounded on the basis of symmetrical communication. The companies implement this approach to their communication strategies in different advances. The purpose of this study is to find out these different approaches on a concept evolved from management theories to public relations: Stewardship. Kelly's (2001) stewardship orientated public relations approach is utilized for observing the Fortune top 75 companies websites in the search of stewardship elements which help building ongoing relationships with their stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) currently faces various political challenges surrounding questions of the Union's self-understanding with regards to processes of enlargement and self-definition. This paper analyses the newly created communication strategy devised by the European Union Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication and contrasts the mismatch between theoretical concepts of trans-national communication in the social sciences on the one hand and the problematic nature of the EU's communicative approach relating to the national public spheres on the other. I argue that while some theorists propagate idealistic-normative expectations rather than empirically based policy recommendations, the Commission has begun to listen to academics and politicians who rightfully call for more transparency and interaction with media outlets on a national level. Based on an analysis of the communication and information deficits between the Union's institutions, the national governments and the mass media, I supply suggestions as to how the Union could improve its communication policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of Internal Communication is increasingly occupying a preferential place in organizations, in spite of the great contradiction that entails to accept that and to recognize it. At the same time it should be taken into account the lack of material and human resources available in the majority of the organizations. Spanish Universities have had successful experiences in this field, forced by the necessity of assisting the constant demands of more and more diverse and exigent students, and some professional associations that expect to participate in the future of the institution. Even so, the contradictions are distinctly evident at the University, where the Directorship and the internal publics have different levels of information and do not really want to change the situation. The different channels and formats of Internal Communication are not enough to balance the necessary bi-directional communication. Two-way communication is precisely what occupies the key issue of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops public relations theory using Aristotelian theory as a foundation and contemporary rhetorical and public relations scholarship to build a framework from which to extend the rhetorical public relations paradigm. This approach adds depth to rhetorically framed public relations theory and offers practical application for public relations scholarship. The article provides an example of how public relations researchers can apply the proposed rhetorical typology to better include the public, thus more fully understanding the audience role in communication relationships. A qualitative analysis of the online dialogue among Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk participants during a time of uncertainty serves as an exemplar for the proposed use of rhetorical theory in public relations research. The key difference in the approach proposed here is the emphasis on the public as partners in the public relations dialogue who help shape rhetorical discourse. In contrast to the organization-centered approach, the public-centered tactic exposes the links as well as the disconnects between organization and public values, underscoring the importance for practitioners to provide meaningful contributions to the public–organization dialogue, creating, negotiating, and codefining meaning with publics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay critically assesses the "demonology of spin" which has dominated British political journalism, and academic writing on public relations since the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. It reviews the history of British political public relations (PR), and traces the emergence of journalistic hostility to the professional communication practices of New Labour in government. This "demonology" is viewed in the context of the professional rivalry born of mutual interdependence between PR practitioners and political journalists, and assessed as an inevitable consequence of that competition. While arguing for ethical constraints on both PR and journalistic professionals, the article concludes that an adversarial relationship between both groups is an important safeguard against the excesses of either. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is frequently observed that political communication processes related to elections, political parties and the electorally accountable domains of executive authority have entered a period of great conflict. This article widens this debate, by examining journalists' relations with "quasi-government" bodies--i.e. the myriad of arm's-length public bodies (often referred to as "quangos"), that are appointed to office and that have colonised many official advisory, regulatory and executive functions. Presenting findings from semi-structured interviews with 40 UK-based specialist national and regional journalists, the article demonstrates how even these experienced journalists struggle to cope with the complex and evolving structure of quasi-government in the UK, and how their attitudes are often highly inconsistent. Although most are hostile towards the broad principle of appointive-government, their relations with specific public bodies that fall within this rubric are in the main highly co-operative, and these sources are often deemed authoritative and dispassionate arbiters in the public policy arena. The article concludes by discussing the political implications of the appreciably less conflictive relations evident in the reporting of appointive government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focused on the problem of causal explanations embedded in historical accounts. Using three major theoretical positions - instrumentalism, institutionalism, and structuralism - the analysis produced three different accounts of the same event, CBS's 1970 change in programming policy. Because each position took a different level of analysis with a different degree of abstraction, each historical account implies different root causes for the policy change. The layering of the accounts provides the most accurate historical description and suggests that theoretical and methodological work be undertaken to build an integrated approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]