Crystallizing Public Opinion

"Crystallizing Public Opinion" is Edward Bernays' pioneering work on the topic of public relations. Published in 1923, this groundbreaking book laid the foundation for the modern method of mass persuasion through media and advertising. Sometimes referred to as father of public relations, Bernays was one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century. He aimed his insightful advice at governments and corporations who wished to build support or spread a particular message. Bernays related his own experiences as a public relations counsel to numerous organizations, such as helping Lithuania bolster its national identity by spreading positive information about Lithuania to intellectuals, sports fans, and politicians, who in turn would influence others. Bernays recognized the increasing importance of public perception as a matter of interest to both official organizations and private companies. He combined a study of individual human psychology and group identity with an understanding of symbolism and media. Bernays was the first to recognize that to effectively guide public opinion, organizations must control and carefully time the dissemination of their news rather than merely reacting to what is being said by others. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" remains a fascinating and hugely important work in understanding public perception and opinion. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

"Crystallizing Public Opinion" is Edward Bernays' pioneering work on the topic of public relations. Published in 1923, this groundbreaking book laid the foundation for the modern method of mass persuasion through media and advertising. Sometimes referred to as father of public relations, Bernays was one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century. He aimed his insightful advice at governments and corporations who wished to build support or spread a particular message. Bernays related his own experiences as a public relations counsel to numerous organizations, such as helping Lithuania bolster its national identity by spreading positive information about Lithuania to intellectuals, sports fans, and politicians, who in turn would influence others. Bernays recognized the increasing importance of public perception as a matter of interest to both official organizations and private companies. He combined a study of individual human psychology and group identity with an understanding of symbolism and media. Bernays was the first to recognize that to effectively guide public opinion, organizations must control and carefully time the dissemination of their news rather than merely reacting to what is being said by others. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" remains a fascinating and hugely important work in understanding public perception and opinion. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.

Famed as "the father of public relations," Edward Bernays pioneered the technique of working to change attitudes rather than just selling products. In this 1923 classic, the first book ever written about the public relations industry, he delineates the approaches that corporations and governments have taken for the past century to influence social tendencies. Crystallizing Public Opinion identifies the techniques employed by public relations professionals, from authoritative-sounding surveys to persuasive endorsements from opinion leaders, celebrities, and experts. Bernays -- whose high-profile clients included Procter & Gamble, General Electric, CBS, NBC, and Time, Inc. -- cites examples from his successful campaigns, including a physician-endorsed promotion of bacon as a healthy breakfast option. He quotes leading theorists on the role of herd mentality in the minds of the educated as well as the ignorant, and he explains the value of communicating the right facts at the right time to a targeted audience. Although technology has changed in the years since this book's debut, human nature has not, and these principles remain of timeless value to business and marketing professionals, students of public relations, and other readers.

You may not know Edward Bernays, but Edward Bernays knows you . As the era of mass media unfolded after the first World War, many people became interested in the new opportunities for mass manipulation. A relative of Sigmund Freud and already a fan of Walter Lippmann, Bernays was ready and willing to pick up the mantle. He made a study of the different ways to use propaganda. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" was his first major effort to sell himself and his philosophy of public relations. Bernays would find plenty of businesses and organizations eager to put him to work. Bernays would be called in to help overthrow governments, sell products that no one wanted, and leave some lasting legacies that no one is even aware of today, such as engineering the acceptance of adding fluoride to a community's water. Thanks to work by people like Bernays, you can never be quite sure that what we accept as good and proper today was not in fact originally a marketing scheme by some business looking to make a buck. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" is eye-opening, but can only be the start. The power of mass media to manipulate the masses would be pressed into service by numerous individuals for a variety of reasons over the course of the 20th century. Perhaps it is time for the reader to know as much about them as they know about you .

Famed as "the father of public relations," Edward Bernays pioneered the technique of working to change attitudes rather than just selling products. In this 1923 classic, the first book ever written about the public relations industry, he delineates the approaches that corporations and governments have taken for the past century to influence social tendencies. Crystallizing Public Opinion identifies the techniques employed by public relations professionals, from authoritative-sounding surveys to persuasive endorsements from opinion leaders, celebrities, and experts. Bernays -- whose high-profile clients included Procter & Gamble, General Electric, CBS, NBC, and Time, Inc. -- cites examples from his successful campaigns, including a physician-endorsed promotion of bacon as a healthy breakfast option. He quotes leading theorists on the role of herd mentality in the minds of the educated as well as the ignorant, and he explains the value of communicating the right facts at the right time to a targeted audience. Although technology has changed in the years since this book's debut, human nature has not, and these principles remain of timeless value to business and marketing professionals, students of public relations, and other readers.

You may not know Edward Bernays, but Edward Bernays knows you . As the era of mass media unfolded after the first World War, many people became interested in the new opportunities for mass manipulation. A relative of Sigmund Freud and already a fan of Walter Lippmann, Bernays was ready and willing to pick up the mantle. He made a study of the different ways to use propaganda. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" was his first major effort to sell himself and his philosophy of public relations. Bernays would find plenty of businesses and organizations eager to put him to work. Bernays would be called in to help overthrow governments, sell products that no one wanted, and leave some lasting legacies that no one is even aware of today, such as engineering the acceptance of adding fluoride to a community's water. Thanks to work by people like Bernays, you can never be quite sure that what we accept as good and proper today was not in fact originally a marketing scheme by some business looking to make a buck. "Crystallizing Public Opinion" is eye-opening, but can only be the start. The power of mass media to manipulate the masses would be pressed into service by numerous individuals for a variety of reasons over the course of the 20th century. Perhaps it is time for the reader to know as much about them as they know about you .

A seminal work on how public opinion is created and shaped, Edward Bernays's classic Crystallizing Public Opinion set down the principles that corporations and government have used to influence public attitudes over the past century. A primer on the then new profession of "public relations counsel," Crystallizing elucidates the "instruments and techniques" that PR professionals use to mold public opinion on behalf of their client's interests. By adapting the ideas that Bernays put forth in this book, governments and advertisers have been able to "regiment the mind like the military regiments the body." The first ever book ever written about the public relations industry, this all-new edition of Crystallizing Public Opinion features an introduction by Stuart Ewen, author of PR A Social History of Spin, All Consuming Images: On the Politics of Style in Contemporary Culture , and Captains of Consciousness: Advertising and the Social Roots of the Consumer Culture.

A seminal work on how public opinion is created and shaped, Edward Bernays's classic Crystallizing Public Opinion set down the principles that corporations and government have used to influence public attitudes over the past century. A primer on the then new profession of "public relations counsel," Crystallizing elucidates the "instruments and techniques" that PR professionals use to mold public opinion on behalf of their client's interests. By adapting the ideas that Bernays put forth in this book, governments and advertisers have been able to "regiment the mind like the military regiments the body." The first ever book ever written about the public relations industry, this all-new edition of Crystallizing Public Opinion features an introduction by Stuart Ewen, author of PR A Social History of Spin, All Consuming Images: On the Politics of Style in Contemporary Culture , and Captains of Consciousness: Advertising and the Social Roots of the Consumer Culture.

A seminal work on how public opinion is created and shaped, Edward Bernays's classic Crystallizing Public Opinion set down the principles that corporations and government have used to influence public attitudes over the past century. A primer on the then new profession of "public relations counsel," Crystallizing elucidates the "instruments and techniques" that PR professionals use to mold public opinion on behalf of their client's interests. By adapting the ideas that Bernays put forth in this book, governments and advertisers have been able to "regiment the mind like the military regiments the body." The first ever book ever written about the public relations industry, this all-new edition of Crystallizing Public Opinion features an introduction by Stuart Ewen, author of PR! A Social History of Spin, All Consuming Images: On the Politics of Style in Contemporary Culture , and Captains of Consciousness: Advertising and the Social Roots of the Consumer Culture.

A seminal work on how public opinion is created and shaped, Edward Bernays's classic Crystallizing Public Opinion set down the principles that corporations and government have used to influence public attitudes over the past century. A primer on the then new profession of "public relations counsel," Crystallizing elucidates the "instruments and techniques" that PR professionals use to mold public opinion on behalf of their client's interests. By adapting the ideas that Bernays put forth in this book, governments and advertisers have been able to "regiment the mind like the military regiments the body." The first ever book ever written about the public relations industry, this all-new edition of Crystallizing Public Opinion features an introduction by Stuart Ewen, author of PR! A Social History of Spin, All Consuming Images: On the Politics of Style in Contemporary Culture , and Captains of Consciousness: Advertising and the Social Roots of the Consumer Culture.