公共关系并不是一个新鲜的话题。几个世纪以来,人类一直在运用公关手段传递重要信息、交换意见、树立形象和提高声誉。对领导者的主张、动机和行动提供有效的帮助和支持始终是公共关系的重要职能,不管这个领导者是一个人还是一种行业或是一个机构。不过,从组织严密性、分工明确性一直到职业化程度等方面来说,公共关系还是一个相当年轻的行业。尽管第一个公共咨询机构——宣传局早在1900年就已经成立,但它所从事的那 Public relations is not a new topic. For centuries, mankind has been using public relations to transmit important messages, exchange opinions, establish images and enhance reputation. Providing effective help and support for leaders’ assertions, motivations and actions has always been an important function of public relations, whether the leader is a person or an industry or an institution. However, public relations is still a relatively young industry in terms of organizational rigor, clarity of division of labor, and professionalism. Although the first public advisory body, the Department of Public Information, was established as early as 1900, what it did