Beyond The Critical Path: The Role of Project Management in Public Relations in Canada

The goal of this study is to explore the role and application of project management within the field of public relations in Canada. It covers the background of project management as a framework for management and its application within creative industries such as advertising, marketing and public relations as well as business. Through a review of literature, a practitioner survey and a series of interviews, this thesis makes a strong argument that project management has a clear role in public relations as the much-needed emerging response for the growing complexity and interdisciplinarity in the industry and as a driver of operational efficiency, service quality, client relationships and innovation. Keywords: project management, public relations, communications, client relations, trust, operations, management, innovation, emerging practices, stakeholder engagement