By: Anna Tichenor, Communications Specialist

Public relations and marketing are often conflated because both are driving factors that contribute to public perception of a brand or brand image.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Marketing, I knew I wanted to find a job in the communications field, but it wasn’t until I began working at Bellevue Communications  and supporting both PR and marketing functions that I learned the important distinctions between the two and the value in prioritizing both.

While PR and marketing professionals often possess similar skills, they apply them differently.

• Audience: Marketing speaks directly to the consumer, while PR professionals pitch journalists to reach their audiences. This requires building strong relationships with the media.
• Budget: Public relations often focuses on earned channels with low to no budget while marketing budgets can vary depending on tactics (but usually have higher costs).
• Goal: The main goal of marketing is to grow new business while PR focuses on building trust and credibility over time.

This is not to say PR and marketing staff should exist in separate silos. A sound communications strategy integrates both to further a common goal.

This can look like:

• Highlighting positive press (earned media) through owned channels like social media, website or newsletters
• Working together to segment audiences and understand demographics and motivations of stakeholders
• Defining a mission statement that centers both PR and marketing messages to ensure that the brand has a unified voice

Both public relations and marketing contribute to brand image, how the public views an organization. Being aware of the differences, when to apply both, and fostering strong internal communication between the two teams helps to create a successful communications strategy. PR and marketing are not interchangeable and the strongest brands invest in both.

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About the author

Anna Tichenor began her role as a Communications Specialist at Bellevue Communications Group in August 2025. She works on a variety of client accounts, drafting press materials and social media content and helping to execute strategic communication plans. Anna supports our team with strong writing skills, insightful social media knowledge, and attention to detail.

Anna graduated from the University of Pittsburgh where she studied marketing with minors in Spanish and international business.