Titanic and Public Relations: A Case Study

Abstract

The purpose of this case study is to situate the sinking of RMS Titanic in the history of public relations. Despite the fact that the sinking of the luxury liner on April 15, 1912, is among the most examined events of the 20th century, the disaster's place in the history and evolution of public relations has gone largely undocumented. This case study—an examination of the ship's promotion and the subsequent proto-crisis communications efforts provided by the ship's corporate owner, the White Star Line—offers a glimpse into a developmental phase in the history of public relations.