PR developed in South America starting in the early 1900s, influenced by models from the US and Europe. From the 1960s-1990s, military dictatorships across South America censored communication and controlled PR. After democratization in the late 1990s, PR professionals have worked to establish more participative democracies. Case studies like Alcoa in Brazil show how companies use tools like newsletters and community outreach to communicate sustainability efforts and engage local stakeholders. The influence of the Catholic church, languages, and traces of colonialism shape South America's unique cultural context for PR.