What is the Difference Between PR and Marketing? A Quick Primer
Marketing vs PR. Just how different are the two? Those who seek help in the media, communications, and marketing worlds often do not realize the amount of nuance which can be found here. The difference between PR (public relations) and marketing is quite large, and you will rarely find a skilled team who specializes in both. Let us explain a few of the most important distinctions.
What Is Public Relations?
PR companies largely make efforts to build one important thing: a reputation. Public relations work is all about the way in which a brand is presented to the world. And no, we are not just here for times of crisis—although here at The Forum, we can certainly help with that!
Public relations is the constant work of brand representation and portrayal, often using the press as a medium. When a company puts together a new product or announces something huge, PR disseminates that information. When a business hires a new CEO, a PR team is there ready to explain—to the entire world—why that development is a positive one.
PR is all about the public image of an enterprise. As your operations grow, the discussion will naturally grow to include concerns about how you or your creation are portrayed on a regional, national, or global stage. PR helps to keep that picture bright, shiny, and scandal-free.
What is Marketing?
Marketing, on the other hand, can take more of a “micro” view of business endeavors. While PR staffers are out there passing news of that great new product along to publications, the marketing staff is creating the advertising copy and imagery to help show it off.
While a PR representative might be doing interviews with the local CBS station to talk about something amazing a company just created, marketing is buying up ad space to amplify said news.
Content and copy fall under the marketing purview. Items like newsletters, blog posts (such as this one) and social media entries on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn all normally come from marketing.
Finally, marketing conducts research to determine the best approach for “spreading the news.”
See the Difference?
While it’s not uncommon for PR and marketing employees to work under the same general umbrella if a business is on the small-to-medium side, they undertake different projects and accomplish separate goals. When done correctly, the two can go hand in hand and work together to create seamless strategies.
Here in San Diego, The Forum is a public relations and digital marketing agency where our employees tackle both PR and marketing needs. We know the advantages of working with a dedicated boutique communications firm, and our unique omnichannel approach garners immediate results. Whether you are looking to work with PR professionals or are interested in marketing services, we can help. Learn more here.
