Public Affairs in Practice: A Practical Guide to Lobbying

Stuart Thomson · Steve John

Nov 2006 · Kogan Page Publishers

About this eBook

Public Affairs in Practice explains how public affairs (PA) is now much more than just political lobbying. Modern PA includes working with other policy-making bodies, such as regulators, commercial organizations and other interested parties.

This is the first book to examine the methods PA professionals use to make an impact. It takes each area of the industry in turn and looks at the tools involved in delivering a PA programme. It also highlights the potential benefits of public affairs, such as protecting an organization from perceived threats of new regulation; identifying new market opportunities; and raising the profile of an organization. Case studies and tips from industry professionals make this a practical "how to" guide for practitioners at all levels and students.

Importantly, the authors consider not only established markets the US, UK and Western Europe but also the opportunities presented to companies from these countries by the EU accession states and China, where there are currently very few PA professionals.

Finally, there is a discussion of future trends and developments in PA.

About the author

Dr Stuart Thomson is Senior Public Affairs Adviser at Bircham Dyson Bell, the leading law firm and Parliamentary Agency. He was previously a Director with Upstream, the political consultancy and regulatory affairs division of the international law firm, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. He writes and lectures on business and political issues and is the author of several books.

Steve John is Director of Government Affairs for PepsiCo UK and Ireland. Before that, he ran Upstream, the political consultancy and regulatory affairs division of the international law firm, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. He has also worked as a journalist and as a political consultant for a number of government relations firms.