Edward Bernays was a pioneering American public relations expert in the early 20th century. He helped popularize bacon and eggs for breakfast and convinced women that smoking cigarettes was liberating. However, his PR campaigns on behalf of tobacco companies contributed to millions of deaths from smoking-related illnesses. Bernays believed the public needed to be guided by an educated elite and advocated the manipulation of public opinion through propaganda. His techniques revolutionized political campaigning and commercial advertising, but have also been criticized for undermining democratic decision-making and prioritizing commercial interests over public health.
Edward Bernays was a pioneering American public relations expert in the early 20th century. He helped popularize bacon and eggs for breakfast and convinced women that smoking cigarettes was liberating. However, his PR campaigns on behalf of tobacco companies contributed to millions of deaths from smoking-related illnesses. Bernays believed the public needed to be guided by an educated elite and advocated the manipulation of public opinion through propaganda. His techniques revolutionized political campaigning and commercial advertising, but have also been criticized for undermining democratic decision-making and prioritizing commercial interests over public health.