Public Relations History

Cayce Myers is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA, where he teaches public relations and communication law. He holds a PhD in mass communication from the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia, an LLM focusing on media law from the University of Georgia School of Law, and a JD from Mercer University School of Law. A member of the Public Relations Society of America, Dr. Myers earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and has served on PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS). He is also a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, and is the Legal Research Editor for the Institute for Public Relations. His research focuses on public relations history and laws that influence public relations practice.

"Myers provides a fascinating look at history's milestone events through the lens of public relations—from the missionary work of the Vatican in 1622, the American Revolution in 1776, up through the formation of the State of Israel in 1947. Indeed, the strategies of PR have been more influential in shaping history than previously presented. Myers also offers what may be an industry first: a historiography of the field that (finally) recognizes the contributions of women, African Americans and other minorities.... Of all the histories written about the PR profession, Myers's book is certainly the most readable and relevant."Shelley Spector, Founder and Director of the Museum of Public Relations, New York"Finally, a book that explains the history of public relations not as an evolution or as primarily the work of a handful of individuals, but as an action and a practice that emerged organically and continues to adapt in response to changes in society—politically, economically, socially, and technologically. Myers’s work is an excellent read for professionals and students alike."Lisa Parcell, Associate Professor, Elliott School of Communication, Wichita State University, USA"Writing the history of public relations is like nailing jelly to the wall. Foundational questions such as ‘what is public relations‘ and ‘when did it start‘ have no concrete answers to even allow the process to begin. Yet Dr. Cayce Myers has managed to organize what we do know about the history of public relations to date into a highly readable book [...] a must read for scholars and students of public relations history alike to understand where we are today in terms of historical knowledge and where the gaps in that history remain."Karla Gower, Professor and Director of the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, University of Alabama, USA"[The book] helps historians see public relations history in a brighter light. [...I]t expands the current historiography in a digestible writing style. It would be a great addition to university libraries and/or text for a course on public relations/media history."Pam Parry, Southeast Missouri State University, USA for Journalism History 2021-016"Myers offers the discipline an invaluable tool that will help aspiring professionals, educators, and scholars develop a firm grasp on the development of our discipline[. ... A] complex, multi-layered consideration of public relations [...].Christopher McCollough, Jacksonville State University, USA for Journal of Public Relations Education 2022, Vol. 8, No. 1

• 1. Definitions of Public Relations 2. Theories of Public Relations Development 3. Political Public Relations 4. Propaganda, Public Relations, and Public Opinion 5. Public Relations, Propaganda, and Conflict 6. Public Relations in Non-Profits, Education, and Religion 7. Corporate Public Relations 8. Entertainment and the Creation of the PR Professional 9. Public Relations Ethics, Organizations, and Credentialing 10. The Future of the History of Public Relations