Public Relations (PR) and marketing are two different things, although they share some similarities. PR is focused on creating and maintaining a positive image for a company, organization, or individual, while marketing is focused on selling products or services. PR involves managing how others see and feel about a person, brand, or company, and its primary goals are to disseminate important company news or events, maintain a brand image, and put a positive spin on negative events to minimize their fallout. On the other hand, marketing is focused on promoting and selling a specific product or service, including market research and advertising.

Here are some of the key differences between PR and marketing:

PR

• Focuses on creating and maintaining a positive image for the company, organization, or individual.
• Builds mutually beneficial relationships between the company and the media.
• Manages how others see and feel about a person, brand, or company.
• Disseminates important company news or events.
• Maintains a brand image.
• Puts a positive spin on negative events to minimize their fallout.

Marketing

• Focuses on selling products or services.
• Reaches customers and prospects.
• Increases sales for the company.
• Promotes and sells a specific product or service.
• Includes market research and advertising.

Although PR and marketing have different objectives, there are some overlaps between the two departments. The success of one department really hinges on the success of the other, and they both serve wider business goals in distinct ways.