What is Media Relations and how does it differ from public relations and advertising/marketing?
Media relations is one of many functions of public relations. Media relations deals directly with the press—print, broadcast and online. Public relations deals with a variety of ‘publics,’ often by communicating through the media. In public/media relations efforts focus on ‘unpaid publicity.’ Placement is never guaranteed, and the release or the pitch has to appeal to specific reporters and editors. It has to capture these gatekeepers attention based on their perceptions of what their reading/viewing public will enjoy. In advertising/marketing, space is purchased in the media. The advertiser or marketer publicizes events or initiatives based upon the purchaser’s own priorities and preferences.
