What Is Communications?

The communications field encompasses such subjects as advertising, journalism, public relations, media relations, and visual communications — all disciplines concerned with crafting and disseminating strategic, persuasive messaging via the Internet, print publications, radio, television, ambient media, outdoor advertising, and word-of-mouth to promote products, services, organizations, or concepts.

Here's what some had to say about communications:

• "Business communication is known simply as 'communications.' It encompasses a variety of topics, including marketing, branding, customer relations, consumer behavior, advertising, public relations, corporate communication, community engagement, research & measurement, reputation management, interpersonal communication, employee engagement, online communication, and event management. It is closely related to the fields of professional communication and technical communication."

- Wikipedia entry, "Business communication"

• "This major includes people who write, edit, translate, and report factual information. They use their language skills and knowledge of special writing techniques to communicate facts. Those in communications find employment with radio and television stations, newspapers, and publishing firms, and in organizations where they work as public relations specialists."

- College Majors Handbook, 2nd edition

• "In a communications major, you examine the many ways in which information and ideas are exhanged in modern society...The communications major blends practical training with a liberal arts education."

- CollegeBoard Book of Majors, 2nd edition

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