• Business
  • Finance
  • Banking
  • Education
  • General
  • Law
  • Science
  • IT
  • English

Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Publicity and Public Relations

Last updated on February 14, 2018 by Surbhi S

Publicity Vs Public RelationsPublic Relations (PR) means professionally handling a positive public image by the company. It is an important element of promotion mix, that helps in maintaining good relations with the public.

On the contrary, Publicity is infotainment, i.e. which tends to inform and entertain the general public at the same time. It provides some interesting, juicy, controversial news to the general public, that has the capability of changing their opinion or outlook, about the product or company.

While the main aim of publicity is to gain maximum possible media coverage, public relations is about getting the attention of the target audience. This article might help you in understanding the difference between publicity and public relations, in detail.

Content: Publicity Vs Public Relations

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonPublicityPublic Relations
MeaningPublicity refers to a public relation function, that uses any communication channel to convey news or information about someone or something, through media.Public Relations is a marketing tool, that is used to maintain goodwill and reputation of the company and its product among people.
ControlIt is not under the control of company.It is controlled by the company
NaturePositive or NegativePositive
Form of communicationNon-paid CommunicationPaid Communication
IntendsPublic awarenessPublic attention

Definition of Publicity

Publicity is defined as the way of disseminating information to the public at large, through media. It can be in the form of news, stories, event information or write-ups, that creates awareness and credibility in the people regarding a brand, product or the company offering them.

Publicity aims at spreading the information or news, to the maximum number of people, in minimum time. It is a non-paid form of communication, which is not under the control of the company. It can be a positive review regarding a product, i.e. mobile, television, refrigerator, etc. given by a satisfied customer, or information published in the newspaper regarding the quality-rich services provided by a company, or it can be a simple word of mouth, etc.

In a nutshell, publicity has nothing to do with the company’s sales; it is all about creating awareness in general public through editorial or unbiased comments concerning a product.

Definition of Public Relations

Public Relations can be understood as the strategic management tool, which helps an organization to communicate with the public. Here, ‘public’ means the group of people that have an interest in or impact on a company’s ability to achieve business objectives. It is not only concerned with getting public attention, but it also aims at reaching the goals of the organization, by communicating the message to the target audience. It includes press releases, crisis management, social media engagement, etc.

Public Relations is all about maintaining the positive image of the company in the eyes of the public and developing strong relationships with them. It encompasses a range of programs organised by the company to promote its product and services. There are many companies, which have public relations department, which looks after the attitude of the appropriate public and also spread information to them, to increase the goodwill.

The functions performed by the public relations department include press relations, corporate communications, counselling, product publicity, etc.

Key Differences Between Publicity and Public Relations

The difference between publicity and public relations can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

  1. Publicity can be described as public visibility, wherein news or information is communicated to the general public so as to build credibility or awareness in them, with the help of a channel, i.e. mass media. On the other extreme, the term public relations, as the name suggest, is a strategic management tool, that aims to create a company’s positive image in the eyes of the public.
  2. While publicity is not under the control of the company, public relations is fully under the company’s control.
  3. Publicity can be positive or negative, in the sense that it can be positive or negative feedback regarding the product or service concerning a product given by the customer or controversial news about the company. Conversely, public relations is always positive, because it is strategised and managed by the public relations department of the company.
  4. Publicity is free of cost; as it is made by the third party. As against, in case of public relations, the company incurs money to organize events, sponsor programs, third-party endorsement, etc.
  5. Publicity involves, gaining the attention of the media, that communicates any information or news, regarding a product, service, person, organization, etc. so as to create awareness in people. In contrast, public relations seek to attract the target audience, for the purpose of boosting the company’s sales.

Conclusion

By and large, publicity and public relations are different from one another, as in publicity is when someone or something is being noticed by the media, and people are informed about it. Unlike, public relations, is all about taking such steps, to maintain a good relationship with the interested public, which includes customers, government, shareholders, creditors, suppliers, government, etc.

Related Differences

  • Difference Between Hypothesis and Prediction
  • Difference Between Brand Identity and Brand Image
  • Difference Between Strategy and Policy
  • Difference Between Expression and Equation
  • Difference Between Norms and Values

You Might Also Like:

Difference Between Advertising and Public Relations marketing vs prDifference Between Public Relations (PR) and Marketing marketing-vs-advertising-thumbnailDifference Between Marketing and Advertising Print Media Vs Electronic MEdiaDifference Between Print Media and Electronic Media AdvertisingDifference Between Advertising and Publicity Difference Between Private Limited and Public Limited Company

Comments

  1. Twinamasiko Poshius says

    April 7, 2020 at 11:43 pm

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. j.noel simon says

    August 11, 2020 at 6:36 am

    Thanks that info was great

    Reply
  3. ABIGABA DERRICK says

    January 21, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    I really like the information

    Reply
  4. Tatek nega says

    April 24, 2021 at 2:02 am

    I have gotten what I need…thank you

    Reply
  5. nombuso says

    August 20, 2022 at 12:33 am

    Thank you for the information

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top 5 Differences

  • Difference Between PERT and CPM
  • Difference Between Micro and Macro Economics
  • Difference Between Developed Countries and Developing Countries
  • Difference Between Management and Administration
  • Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Related Differences

  • Difference Between Hypothesis and Prediction
  • Difference Between Brand Identity and Brand Image
  • Difference Between Strategy and Policy
  • Difference Between Expression and Equation
  • Difference Between Norms and Values



New Additions

  • Difference Between Speak and Talk
  • Difference Between Economy Class and Business Class
  • Difference Between If and Whether
  • Difference Between Hotel and Motel
  • Difference Between FIR and Chargesheet
  • Difference Between Norms and Values
  • Difference Between Society and Community
  • Difference Between Sourcing and Procurement
  • Difference Between National Income and Per Capita Income
  • Difference Between Departmental Store and Multiple Shops
fb-follow youtube follow

Copyright © 2023 · Key Differences · Contact Us · About Us · Privacy