With an emphasis on case studies ranging from the disaster to the Tickle Me Elmo doll, presents an introduction to the field. The text is divided into four parts covering philosophical underpinnings; practical communications applications such as the integration of public relations, marketing, and advertising; descriptions of primary constituents with chapters on employees, consumers, multicultural communities, and the government; and emerging trends including crisis management and the law. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.