1st Edition

Public Relations and Strategic Communication in 2050 Trends Shaping the Future of the Profession

Edited By Alexander V. Laskin, Karen Freberg Copyright 2025
280 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

280 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

280 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Taking stock of the technological, political, economic, and social trends that exist today, this book extends the discussion to analyze and predict how these trends will affect the public relations and strategic communication industry of the future. This book is divided into two sections, the first addressing such key topics as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, political polarization, and... Read more

Introduction.

List of Contributors.

Section 1. Trends shaping the future of public relations and strategic communication.

1. Questions of Power over (and Control of) Social, Political, Economic, and Cultural Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Dean Kruckeberg and Marina Vujnovic

2. The Growth of Malicious AI: Countering Disinformation and Deepfakes Amid Mega-Crises

Marta N. Lukacovic and Deborah D. Sellnow-Richmond

3. Responsible AI for Public Relations Practice: Applying Public Relations Practitioner Perspectives to Ethical Codes for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Lea-Ann Germinder and Luke Capizzo

4. Devolving Ethical Standards of 2050: International and Disciplinary Failure

Shannon A. Bowen and Elina Erzikova

5. Biohacking and Bioethical Considerations for Marketing Communication Campaigns

Vitor Lima

6. The Next Frontier of DEI: Communication & Neurodiversity from Now to 2050

Allison Weidhaas

7. When Big Brother Is Listening: Impact of the Social Credit System on Strategic Communication

Sabrina Page and Victoria Barry

8. Beyond Big Data: Striking a Balance

Melissa Dennis

9. Behind the Velvet Rope: Influencers and Creators as the Future Entertainment Celebrities in Public Relations

Kate Stewart and Karen Freberg

10. Navigating the Future of Virtual Influencers: Hijacking Risks

Ekaterina Ivanova, Alina Arti, Vilma Luoma-aho, and Juha Munnukka

11. Consumerism as the Driving Force of Human Identity in 2050

Alexander V. Laskin

12. Re-engaging the ‘Eclipsed Public’ – The Challenge for Public Communication and Politics

Jim Macnamara

13. Facing the Rise of Postmodernism: Intelligent Goodwill as a Route toward Reinvigorating Public Relations in Face of Increasing Dissensus

Burton St. John III

Section 2. The future of public relations and strategic communication specializations.

14. The Future of Public Relations, According to AI

Nathan J. Rodriguez

15. Crisis Communication in 2050: Sociopolitical and Technological Trends Shaping Crisis Communication

W. Timothy Coombs

16. Film, Television, and Entertainment Public Relations in 2050: Establishing a New Normal in the Wake of Streaming, AI, and COVID-19

Chris DeFelice and Kyle Stanley

17. Sport Public Relations in 2050

Brandon C. Boatwright and Lexi Merriman

18. The Future of Investor Relations and Financial Communication: AI, ESG, and Shareholder Activism

Christian Pieter Hoffmann and Alexander V. Laskin

19. Propaganda and Psychological Warfare Aspects in the Strategic Communication of the 21st Century: European Union’s Place in the Global Order

Greg Simons

20. Media Relations, Journalism, Law and Ethics

Jeremy Harris Lipschultz

21. Measurement and Analytics in 2050: Quantifying Digital and Analog Behaviors

Nathan J. Carpenter

Index

Biography

Alexander V. Laskin is a Professor of Advertising and Public Relations at Quinnipiac University, USA.

Karen Freberg is a Professor in Strategic Communications at the University of Louisville, USA.