| 1. Free Coverage or Paid Space | | | | aren't always called on for the good news. |
| Public Relations: | | | | If there was an accident at your company, you may |
| Your job is to get free promotion for the company. | | | | have to give a statement or on-camera interview to |
| From news conferences to press releases, you are | | | | journalists. |
| concentrated on getting free media exposure for the | | | | 5. Special Events |
| company and its products/services. | | | | Advertising: |
| Advertising: | | | | If your company sponsors an event, you can't really |
| The company pays for the advertising space So you | | | | take out an ad giving yourself a pat on the back for |
| know exactly when that ad will air or be published. | | | | being such a good company. This is when you need |
| 2. Creative Control Vs. No Control | | | | your PR department to do it for you. |
| Advertising: | | | | Public Relations: |
| Since you're paying for the space, you have creative | | | | If you are the sponsor of an event, then you could |
| control on what goes into that ad. | | | | send out a press release hopefully the media would |
| Public Relations: | | | | pick it up and write some good press. |
| You don't have control over how the media presents | | | | 6. Writing Style |
| your information, if they decide to use it at all. They are | | | | Advertising: |
| not obligated to cover your event or publish your press | | | | Buy this product! Act now! Call today! These are all |
| release because you sent them something. | | | | things you can say in an advertisement. You want to |
| 4. Limited or Unlimited Contact | | | | use those buzz words to motivate people to buy your |
| Advertising: | | | | product. |
| Some pros in the industry such as have contact with | | | | Public Relations: |
| the clients. Others like copywriters or graphic designers | | | | You are writing strictly in a news format. Any blatant |
| in the agency may not meet with the client at all. | | | | commercial messages in your communications are |
| Public Relations: | | | | disregarded by the media. |
| In public relations, you are visible to the media. PR pros | | | | |