Difference Between Public Relations (PR) and Marketing

Marketing is a business activity that aims at promoting, advertising and selling company’s products and services. On the other hand, public relations or commonly called as PR is a communication process; wherein the company seeks to build such a relationship between the company and the general public, which is mutually beneficial for them.

Last updated on October 14, 2017 by Surbhi S
Marketing is a business activity that aims at promoting, advertising and selling company’s products and services. On the other hand, public relations or commonly called as PR is a communication process; wherein the company seeks to build such a relationship between the company and the general public, which is mutually beneficial for them.
Nowadays, people find it hard to distinguish marketing from public relation (PR), due to the emergence of social media, which filled the gap amidst these two. However, they are two different concepts.
While marketing is mainly concerned with the promotion and sales of the product, Public Relations (PR) is intended to create and manage a favourable image of the company amongst the public.
Content: Public Relation Vs Marketing
1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion
Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR COMPARISON PUBLIC RELATION (PR) MARKETING
Meaning Public Relations (PR) refers to the process of maintaining positive relationship and managing the flow of information between company and the general public Marketing is defined as an activity of creating, communicating and delivering products and services of value to the customers.
Involves Promotion of company and brand Promotion of products and services
Function Staff function Line function
Media Earned Paid
Audience Public Target Market
Focus on Building trust Making sales
Communication Two-Way One-Way


Definition of Public Relations
Public Relations is defined as an act of managing the dissemination of information amidst the company and the general public. It is a process, where an organisation gains exposure to the audience through third party endorsements, wherein news or other topics of public interest are used to share organisation’s positive stories. Examples include newsletters, press conferences, featured stories, speeches, public appearances and similar other forms of non-paid communication.
Public Relations aims at informing the public, investors, partners, potential customers, employees, clients, to influence them to make a positive perspective about the company and the brand. To build trust and strong public relationship with the customers the organisation may also participate in activities like donations, support of arts, sporting events, free education, etc.
Definition of Marketing
Different people defined marketing in a variety of ways. Some call it shopping of products or services, others call it merchandising, while some relate it with the selling of the product. In the real sense, shopping, merchandising and selling all are covered under the activity jointly known as marketing.
Marketing is a management process, which is concerned with the buying and selling of products and services, which includes all the activities that involve the movement of product from concept to the customer. Product designing, warehousing, packaging, transportation, delivering, advertising, branding, selling, pricing, etc. are all part of marketing activities. In short, Marketing is everything a company does to gain and retain customers.