I had once wondered about the difference between Advertising and Public Relations. Therefore, I must say that I am delighted to see such an explanation being offered in the book. The simple but clear explanation state that the main difference between the two is in the way that the message is structured and perceived. How that advertising use controlled message as they are buying space and time in the media.
PR seeks to use the media in a different way from Advertising. I can see how it gives up the control over the message in order to gain credibility, by letting the journalist have the control over the way the story is written.
Another difference I think that the two have is that PR battle is more often than not fought over a longer period of time, as compared to that of an advertising effort.
From the few chapters that I had read so far, I find that contrary to popular and public beliefs, PR is more than just publicity. This is a point that is reinforced during the tutorial, when I am further exposed to the roles of the PR practitioner. What I think is that the role that PR plays in an organization is something similar to that of a ‘gate’ or ‘doorway’. It is though this ‘gate’ that an organization interact with the public.
It is true that the organization can do without PR, but it can do even better with a good PR effort behind it.
Yes, I agree with you Kelvin. I also feel that the difference between advertising and public relations is the way tho message is being structured and perceived.
ReplyDeleteAdvertising is planned. The organization can devote a sum of money to creating an image but the image cannot last if there are no public relations. That being said, the organizations cannot control what is being said by the public or the media.
As I also mentioned in my post, PR helps to establish a rapport between organization and consumers.