Marketing vs. Public Relations

A Primer & Refresher from a Hollywood Publicist

Many people with marketing and communications degrees are unaware of the distinction between marketing and PR and specifically advertising and publicity. I thought I would share this quick primer or refresher.

Publicity 101 (Shortcourse) | SchaulPRGroup.com |

Advertising is a component of marketing whereas publicity is a component of public relations. While the lines have increasingly blurred, advertising is essentially defined as paid promotion of products and services whereas publicity is defined as unpaid promotion with an emphasis on serving influencer brands. 

As a publicist working with celebrities/influencers, and media-trained subject experts, my job is to write, solicit and secure press coverage through traditional broadcast and digital media outlets for the purpose of curating the reputations of clients.  The objective is to promote clients and keep them relevant.

In Hollywood and the entertainment industry at large, a publicist's role is to manage the client's image and represent them as a media liaison under all circumstances.

Publicists often work in conjunction with talent managers and agents. A manager typically develops and curates the career of the client and an agent is tasked with the responsibility of securing work for the client. However, both managers and agents can connect actors directly to casting directors who have provided synopses of treatments or scripts and what roles they are seeking auditions for. These casting breakdowns are posted daily and are accessible to industry professionals.

The talent reps receive a percentage of their client's earnings whereas a publicist receives a monthly retainer. While emerging talent may be represented by both a manager and agent, publicists typically work with more established performing artists.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any clarification or have questions.nd Newsletters keep people engaged with your brand. Share articles or videos, let people know about new products or promotions or invite them to events.

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