The advertising and public relations industries often overlap. Students who study advertising likely take a course or two in public relations, and vice versa. Firms often specialize in both advertising and public relations, though they're usually distinct groups within the organization. Although these industries are interconnected, advertising workers take on different tasks than their public relations counterparts.
Advertising Career
Individuals who choose a career in advertising focus on creating advertisements and promotional campaigns for an organization, an external client or a group of clients. Today's advertisers have to create campaigns for a range of mediums, from print advertisements for newspapers and magazines to Web-based advertisements to television and radio spots. Advertisers must understand the product's or service's demographic, ensuring that the ads are appropriate to capture the right consumer group. Creativity is key in an advertising career.
Public Relations Career
A career in public relations involves creating and maintaining the public image for an organization or client. A public relations executive writes press releases, serves as a spokesperson on behalf of his clients, publicizes events to the media, and builds and maintains relationships with the media. A public relations executive is the "voice" of his client, so he must have strong communication skills and be able to address any controversy with tact. A career in public relations often includes event management tasks as well.
Similarities
In a career in both advertising and public relations, individuals work to improve their organization's or client's success. Advertisers focus on attracting new customers and increasing sales through their print, online or television ads. Public relations executives make sure the achievements, events and top news of their organization or client are well-publicized. Individuals in both advertising and public relations work with the media, either directly or indirectly, as a part of their careers.
Differences
Though media interaction takes place in both advertising and public relations, the jobs are inherently different. Advertisers focus on the creative side and try to use the media to attract consumers and improve sales. Public relations executives, on the other hand, use the media as a sounding board to reach out to the public and improve or maintain an organization or company's image.
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