At a time when effective communications has become the biggest issue confronting the cooperative movement globally, the book delves into the issues of Public Relations and Media in the context of cooperatives in India. Being the largest cooperative movement in the world, with significant achievements in various areas of socio-economic activities, the Indian cooperative movement faces a big challenge of image-building which can enhance the profile of the cooperative movement, and create awareness about the beneficial aspects of cooperative development amongst the general masses. Against this backdrop, the book is a timely endeavour to analyse the issues of public relations and media which have an important role in image-building of the cooperative sector. The book with a strategic orientation comes up with fresh perspectives so as to prepare a road-map for strengthening the functioning of public relations and media in the working of cooperatives in India. As communications is considered the weakest link in the functioning of the cooperative sector, there is a strong realization that the cooperative movement in India cannot succeed without a vibrant public relations and media policy. As the communication literature in the cooperative sector in India is scanty, the book also fills a big void in enriching the subjects of public relations and media, which are generally neglected. The book deals with a wide gamut of vital issues like importance of public relations, research in public relations, media relations, community media, cooperative advocacy, success stories, strategic communications, social media, role of blogs, and also some case studies related to public relations and media. The book provides a refreshing referral benefit to students and teachers of public relations and media, research scholars, faculty members, academicians, practitioners and policy-makers related to the cooperative sector in India and abroad.

The author with over five decades of professional and academic experience has considerably revised and updated every chapter of the book to present, contemporary diverse public relations and media practices. As a result, the new edition contains the best of previous editions and at the same time replaces all the dated material with new figures and advanced information. Subjects like Mass Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising, Media Studies, Event Management, PR 2.0 New Model and eight case studies including Mahatma Gandhi World's Greatest Communicator — all in one make this edition truly unique and the only textbook of this type in India. The other key topics that have been given attention in the book include PR as a Strategic Management Function; Communication Models: History of Indian PR; Standards and Ethics in PR; Corporate Communications; PR in Government, Public Sector and NGOs; Global PR; Internet and Social Media; Multimedia PR Campaign and PR into the Future. Learning Tools • Students learning tools such as Chapter Opening Preview, Relevant Case Problems in the Text, End of the Chapter Summary for quick understanding, Review Questions for practice, the Glossary and traits needed for success in PR career are added value to this edition. The text is a must read for every student, faculty and practitioners of Mass Communication, Media Relations, Journalism, PR & Advertising and all management disciplines.

This book discusses social innovations by cooperatives from the Asia and Pacific region. Social innovations emerge when the state and market in developing countries find it difficult to solve problems such as poverty, hunger, ill health, poor education systems, inadequate drinking water and poor sanitation. These countries also face barriers to economic growth such as climate change, poor governance, unequal opportunities and social exclusion. This volume therefore addresses the following questions. What are the distinctive features of social innovations by cooperatives? How social innovations bring in changes in the process and outcome of development? After presenting theories of social innovation and a critical review of cooperatives and social innovation, the book presents 15 chapters on social innovations by cooperatives in the Asia Pacific region. These social innovations are related to health insurance, community based tourism, disaster response, climate smart agriculture, use of social media for youth empowerment, training for the emergence of second-line leaders in cooperatives, social inclusion through innovative finance, profitable marketing of organic produce to strengthen economic status of small farmers, digital auction and value addition for income security of farmer members, collaboration between cooperative members and workers for the mutual benefit, worker cooperatives, women leadership and participation, building union-cooperative partnership in finance and rating of cooperatives to promote transparency and accountability. A chapter on innovative services of cooperatives during the time of Covid19 is also included. This volume will be quite significant for co-operators, researchers, teachers, practitioners and policy-makers at the global level. The theme is relevant for international development community and national cooperatives with concern for their communities, which is the seventh cooperative principle of International Cooperative Alliance and the Sustainable Development Goal of the UN.

Public Relations, Branding and Authenticity: Brand Communications in the Digital Age explores the role of PR and branding in society by considering the notion of authentic communications within the context of an emerging digital media environment. This qualitative analysis explores the challenge of developing authentic brand narratives in the digital age, whilst questioning the problematic nature of authenticity itself. Case studies of public relations activity of successful brands, and those in crisis, are supplemented by interviews with senior public relations and branding practitioners. The book lays out three specific arguments. Firstly, a repositioning of the relationship between public relations and brand practice is explored. It is argued that public relations practitioners are well placed to facilitate brands in the digital age, because of the inherent acceptance of the value of relationship building, adaptation and boundary spanning embedded in PR practice and best practice theory. Secondly, the book introduces a new concept of riparian brands. Such brands are based on solid core values, but have an ability to atune, adjust and naturalise to the prevailing social, cultural and economic environment. Thirdly, the book presents an ontology of the riparian brand in the form of an authentic brand wheel and 15 real-time interaction success factors. Aimed at both academics and practitioners interested in the theoretical development of PR and its emerging relationship with branding, it will also be of interest to scholars of corporate communications, corporate reputation and branding.

Services Marketing: Text & Readings is an anthology of original works of corporate leaders from the India Services Sector. In addition, a detailed section deals with the conceptual issues of services marketing.The organization of the book is as follows:Services Marketing: Concep-tual Issues Understanding Services Phenomenon, Role of Services in Economy, Services Characteristics and Marketing Implications, Marketing Mix in Services: The Traditional 4Ps, Extended Marketing Mix for Services, Differentiation Strategies, Demand Management and Productivity, Services Quality, Services Strategies Sector Specific Marketing: Challenges and Practices Tourism and Travel Services, Transportation and Logistics Services, Financial Services, Information Technology and Communication Services, Media Services, Health Care Services, Professional Services, Educational and Extension Services, Public Services