Defining ‘Public Relations’
Anytime I tell someone that I work in public relations, I get a perplexed look followed by the routine statement “…so, you write press releases?”. Several years ago, I came across the following explanation of public relations, which has always stayed with me so I thought I’d share it.
Public Relations vs Publicity vs Promotion vs Advertising
Let’s say a circus comes to town, and you want people to know about it…
1. Advertising - Displaying a sign announcing that the circus is in town.
2. Promotion – Displaying the sign on an elephant and parading the animal through town.
3. Publicity – If the elephant carrying the sign tramples through the ornamental garden of the mayor and the newspaper reports it.
4. Public Relations – If you’re able to get the mayor to laugh about the incident and ride in the circus parade with no hard feeings.
