PR vs. Marketing

Anytime I mention that I am studying public relations, the response I usually get is, "oh yeah - marketing." Yeah, I find it annoying. I want my public relations major to get the credit it deserves, not to be pushed into something else.

It's easy to become confused about these terms: advertising, marketing, promotion, public relations and publicity, and sales. The terms are often used interchangeably. However, they refer to different -- but similar activities.

Earlier today I was exploring Ad of the World, which is an online archive of the best and most interesting advertisements from across the world. I came across an advertisement on their site that uses four simple pictures to explain to you the difference between marketing, pr, advertising, and branding.






These simple images help to understand the distinction between the commonly misused terms, well and they are pretty funny.

Also check out Ads of the World's Web site. It's extremely interesting and you could waste an afternoon on it. Click here for the original images and related discussion.

Related Articles:
Public Relations vs. Marketing: PR Marvels and Miscues
Basic Definitions: Advertising, Marketing, Promotion, Public Relations, and Publicity

Vanity Fair's Oscar Party 2009

For the past ten years, I have been obsessed with Vanity Fair's annual Oscar party. I have never fantasized about attending the event, but planning it. I have always envisioned writing the guest list, organizing appearances, and picking flower arrangements. Well my dreams were placed on hold last year, but: The hottest Oscar after-party ever is back — only smaller.

Smaller?
Wait?
Huh?

Vanity Fair says its annual Academy Awards party is returning for next year's Oscar night on Feb. 22. The magazine's 2008 bash was canceled in support of the Hollywood writers' strike.

The magazine's editor Graydon Carter says on VanityFair.com that the bash "will be a much more intimate affair than in years past," with a scaled back guest list.

The A-list soiree will take place at West Hollywood's Sunset Tower Hotel instead of its traditional home, the restaurant Morten's.

Given the state of the economy, Carter says the party will also recycle decor from past years.

Now my fantasy life of planning the Vanity Fair Oscar Party next year just went up in flames.

Downsize guest list?

NO!

Re-use fake flowers?

Are you serious?

Yes, I am aware of our nation's current economic state, but really? Smaller?

I can only hope Vanity Fair's event planners will be ready to spend the big bucks in 2010.

Oh and hire me as an assistant.

Public Relations on the Small Screen

After years of watching Sex and the City, idolizing the lives of the four women, one of the characters drastically stood out to me; Samantha Jones. She owns her own Public Relations company, rubs elbows with the best of the best in New York City, throws first class parties and attends her fair share of them. She knows all the best hot spots in the city and has a Rolodex overflowing with names and numbers of the biggest, best and most elite of New York.

When I enrolled in my first public relations class, I walked in thinking that PR was more like a lifestyle than a career. Take Samantha Jones for example, she is her own boss, she is fierce and she makes a lot of money.

I thought that this was an accurate portrayal of the average Public Relations professional.

With each paper I write or with every grammar test I take, my vision of public relations professionals has changed drastically.

From:
Making a few calls, show up in a killer outfit, grab a cocktail and greet your famous guests with a kiss on the cheek.

To:
Countless of hours of work, endless to-do lists, 4 a.m. wake-up calls and 12-hour days. Coordinating the location (plan b location), theme, guest list, invitations, speakers (back up speakers), media lists, social media releases, itinerary, press releases, agenda, talking points, and promotion. Just to name a few.

PR just is not about throwing and attending parties, rubbing elbows or even raking in the money. I am now able to take what I have learned and feel confident to go out into the workplace. I will be able to rub elbows through networking, put on fabulous events that everyone will want to attend, all while making a name for myself as I begin my ascent to the top of the ladder of success.