Final answer:
Communications planning aims to influence people, as seen in political campaigns and public policy discussions. Politicians and marketers craft messages to persuade and motivate action. The growth of Internet and social media has changed how these communications reach and influence a more tech-savvy and educated audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, communications planning indeed moves beyond merely reaching audiences; its aim is to influence people. This is evident in various areas, including political campaigns, marketing strategies, and public policy discussions. Politicians, marketers, and activists all craft messages in a way that not only informs but also persuades and motivates individuals to take action or adopt certain viewpoints. Effective communication must navigate challenges such as presenting bad news or requiring sacrifices without alienating the audience.
Political campaigns, for instance, use communications to not only reach voters but also to shape public opinion and election outcomes. Likewise, in the realm of public policy, raising public awareness and influencing opinions are critical so that the electorate demands action from politicians and progress can follow. With the rise of the Internet and social media, this dynamic has become increasingly sophisticated, giving candidates and organizations the ability to reach a technologically savvy, educated, and professional demographic more economically compared to traditional mass media.