PR vs. Marketing

Okay, so, lets get one thing straight. 

Public Relations is NOT the same as marketing. 

Public Relations activities often fall under the label of 'uncontrolled media'; this means that PR professionals do not get a say if, when, or where their material will ever get exposed. They do not pay for publicity. They are better than that. ;) 

Well yes actually Mr Wonka, the average Public Relations professional can write a pretty bangin' press release. Maybe you wouldn't have had to shut down your factory for so long if you had a Public Relations professional on your team of oompas.

Anyway, a press release or media release consists of written or recorded communication directed at media, for the purpose of announcing something newsworthy. Media releases must answer the who, what, when, where, why and how of whatever they are promoting. 

But what exactly is considered newsworthy you may ask? Well, there is no solid definition of what is newsworthy. Deciding what is newsworthy is an acquired journalistic skill. However, if a story can satisfy one or more of these news values, it may just have a chance at being newsworthy.

8 Major News Values –

o Proximity

o Prominence

o Currency

o Timeliness

o Conflict

o Impact

o Human interest

o Odd or unusual

So, next time you've got your press-release-writing-pants on, be sure to consider all the things we've discussed today. You sir, are not a marketing man. Oh no, you are not. You are a Public Relations professional! Wear your title with pride and be sure to do us proud. Satisfy some damn news values, and answer those 5 W's and that H like you really mean it.