All fashion brands work with PR in some way, its importance is evident. At the same time it is expensive and difficult to say what it provides, consequently one may wonder whether if it is all worth it. Existing literature leaves a gap of missing research in PR and especially in PR events. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute with an increased understanding of PR events in the fashion industry, by an open approach. In more detail, the purpose is to explore the fundamental aspects of PR events in the fashion industry, and how such events contribute to brand equity. The method used was a qualitative case study, including descriptive and exploratory research methods. The data collection consists of participant observations, during an internship at a PR agency, and semi structured interviews with five participants. A cross case synthesis analysis method was used with a comparative approach. The fundamental aspects of PR events and its contribution to brand equity, was found to differ and depend to a great extent. The main dependent variable is the strategy and objective of the brand. The findings show that a PR event is a marketing activity and a communication tool/channel, of which the end goal is to create sales. Important aspects include relationships, reputation/image and experiences. PR events contribute to brand awareness and brand associations, however the contribution to perceived quality and brand loyalty was found to be less evident. PR events may have a positive effect, negative effect, or no effect. It is possible to evaluate events to some extent. Quantitative and qualitative aspects are discussed, both as possible and less usable methods. The results were found to be wide and extensive, opening up for more questions rather than providing answers. Future research could narrow the scope to a less extensive range of PR events, in order to generate answers that may be more useable. The data collection methods could, for the same reason, be more structured. The study adds knowledge to existing theories to the area of PR events. By the open approach, this study draws attention to the rather unexplored and undiscovered topic of PR events, and brings focus to the discussion of its value. The qualitative research method brings attention to considering both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The findings are of interest to brands that use or consider using PR events, and want to gain a more clear picture of the events and their contributions to brand equity.

Профессиональные сообщества, основанные с целью расширения коллегиального участия единомышленников для защиты своих профессиональных интересов, являются эффективным инструментом для достижения общественно-полезных целей. В процессе регулярного взаимодействия участников сообществ, их обмена знаниями, опытом, при решении сложных профессиональных задач происходит развитие трудовых ресурсов и профессионального информационного пространства, что способствует продвижению имиджа территории как площадки для инвестирования и развития бизнеса, как места для профессионального роста рабочей силы и как производителя надежной продукции для потребителей. В представленной работе отражены особенности влияния PR-мероприятий на формирование и развитие профессиональных сообществ, проанализирована роль профессиональных сообществ в контексте продвижения территорий среди целевой аудитории, определен функционал профессиональных сообществ, способствующий развитию социально-экономических показателей территории. Основываясь на результатах методологической и эмпирической базы исследований, разработана программа PR-мероприятий по формированию профессионального сообщества геотехников для продвижения Уральского региона. / Professional societies founded with the aim of expanding the collegial participation of like-minded people to protect their professional interests are an effective tool for achieving socially useful goals. In the process of regular participation of community members, their exchange of knowledge, experience, decisions complex professional tasks are developing labor resources and professional information space, which promotes the image of the territory as a platform for investment and business development, as a platform for professional growth of the workforce and as a manufacturer of reliable products for consumers. The presented work reflects the features of the influence of PR-events for the formation and development of professional societies, analyzes the role of professional societies in the context of the promotion of territories among the target audience, defines the functionality of professional societies that contribute to the development of socio-economic indicators of the territory. Based on the results of methodological and empirical research, a program of PR events was developed to form a professional society of geotechnical engineering to promote the Ural region.

Связи с общественностью в модели эффективного взаимодействия бизнеса и власти являются одной из функций менеджмента, неотъемлемой частью территориального маркетинга, процессом сознательной организации двусторонних коммуникаций. Продуктивная модель взаимодействия бизнеса и власти приносит очевидную выгоду, как самим субъектам взаимодействия, так и территории присутствия в целом. Механизмы организации и реализации коммуникациями, влияние такой деятельности на развитие территорий – актуальная для российских реалий тема. Выстроенная система коммуникаций, совместная работа и открытый диалог бизнеса и власти могут способствовать стабильному и эффективному развитию общества в целом. В представленной работе отражены теоретические аспекты связей с общественностью бизнеса с органами власти: понятие, функции, инструменты и технологии, модели. Проанализирован зарубежный и отечественный опыт взаимодействия на локальном уровне (малый бизнес и органы местного самоуправления) и в контексте развития территории города, определена и описана наиболее эффективная модель взаимодействия в коммуникационном аспекте. Основываясь на вторичных данных и результатах авторского социологического исследования, проанализирована модель взаимодействия малого бизнеса и органов местного самоуправления в Екатеринбурге, разработаны рекомендации по совершенствованию коммуникативной составляющей модели взаимодействия. / Professional societies founded with the aim of expanding the collegial participation of like-minded people to protect their professional interests are an effective tool for achieving socially useful goals. In the process of regular participation of community members, their exchange of knowledge, experience, decisions complex professional tasks are developing labor resources and professional information space, which promotes the image of the territory as a platform for investment and business development, as a platform for professional growth of the workforce and as a manufacturer of reliable products for consumers. The presented work reflects the features of the influence of PR-events for the formation and development of professional societies, analyzes the role of professional societies in the context of the promotion of territories among the target audience, defines the functionality of professional societies that contribute to the development of socio-economic indicators of the territory. Based on the results of methodological and empirical research, a program of PR events was developed to form a professional society of geotechnical engineering to promote the Ural region.