Advertising vs. Public Relations

By Ankur Pandey - October, 22nd 2018

What Does the Budget Cover in Advertising vs. PR?

Typically, the majority of the budget for an advertising campaign will be spent on ad space, whether it’s in magazines or newspapers, on television, radio or online. Ad agencies will also charge for concept development, copywriting and creative work such as graphic design, filming and editing.

A public relations agency works to gain free publicity for its client. The majority of a PR campaign budget usually goes towards the creation of a compelling story and ongoing media liaison. Clients of a public relations agency will not ordinarily be billed each time their story appears.

Levels of Control in Advertising vs. PR

Since advertising space is paid for, companies are able to maintain control of an advertisement’s content and exactly when and where an ad will appear.

With public relations, once a media release has been distributed and its embargo lifted, PR agencies are limited in the amount of control they have over the way media outlets use information, if they choose to use it at all and even the best media release can be bumped for a bigger story. However, it is a PR practitioner’s job to navigate noisy news days and get their story heard.

Varying Longevity in Advertising and PR

Since ad space is paid for, advertisements may be run regularly for as long as the budget allows or until the ad loses its relevance. However, seeing the same advertisement in five different instances can become repetitive and ineffective, as consumers do not stand to gain any new information.

A media release is a one-use communication tool, however a single release may be distributed to hundreds of media outlets. Generally, news has a relatively short shelf life though it is possible for a media release to sit an editor’s file until it can form part of a bigger story. This means that consumers may see the same product or service in different contexts and the return on investment can continue, even after a particular PR campaign has wrapped.

Wise Consumers Know the Difference Between Advertising and Editorial

Consumers know that when they’re reading an advertisement, somebody is attempting to sell them a product or service. It’s very rare for people to actively seek out advertisements unless they are looking for something in particular.

A story covered by a third-party about a service or product, generally carries more credibility than an advertisement because consumers are aware that what they’re seeing is out of merit rather than advertising dollars. If a product or service is presented in an informative medium, people are more likely to take notice of a company’s key messages, even if it’s only on a subconscious level.

An Advertiser Utilises Creativity, While a PR Professional Needs a Nose for News

Advertising campaigns rely heavily on creativity, catchy slogans and eye catching graphics to attract consumers’ attention. Public relations campaigns require a nose for news and a comprehensive understanding of the media. PR agencies exercise creativity by crafting captivating, factually correct stories that educate readers about a product or service.