‘Can you see me? Images of public relations in Babylon

This chapter explores the significance of the image to public relations. Drawing on cultural studies scholarship on the visual turn and the renewed focus on images in contemporary culture, it considers both visual representations of, and their significance for, public relations. The chapter considers the visual in representations of public relations, expanding the discussion beyond popular culture representations in television and film to understand contemporary meaning making around 'public relations'. The chapter explores scholarship on the significance of the image in communication. It then introduces Babylon in order to discuss images in relation to public relations. Finally, it analyses the significance of the visual for public relations in a world where communication is primarily mediated on screens. Analysing visual representations in popular culture potentially offers important insights into the cultural and symbolic power of public relations. Evidence of writing, editing and researching is limited except in the production of media releases and press statements.