Some people think of marketing and public relations as interchangeable terms, but they are completely different. Learning the difference between marketing and public relations can help you create better-focused marketing and PR campaigns, with better objectives, goals and outcomes. It’s important to remember that PR is a big part of your marketing mix.
Here are three differences between marketing and public relations.
- Purpose
Marketing and public relations have different purposes. Your organizations marketing purpose is to include the various marketing tools and tactics to promote and sell products or services, including market research and advertising. The purpose of public relations/PR is to build name recognition through positive relationships with media and the community.
- Target audiences
Marketing and PR strategies target different audiences. Marketing strategies and plans targets the end user and customer. Public relations/PR consist of a wide range of audiences (customers, employees, suppliers, investors, media, etc.), who collectively further the organization’s success.
- Campaign success
Marketing and PR success should be measured after campaign implementation. Each strategy is measured differently; a successful marketing campaign would be one that met sales goals and resulted in profit and high return on investment and public relations success is define through building beneficial relationships with key audiences.
Both, marketing and public relations/PR, are vital in achieving a company’s goals.
