How is public relations and publicity different from advertising?

Public relations (PR) and publicity focus on building and maintaining a positive image and relationship between an organization and its audience, often through media coverage and community engagement. In contrast, advertising is a paid communication strategy aimed at promoting specific products or services directly to consumers. While PR seeks to create a favorable perception through earned media and storytelling, advertising relies on controlled messages through paid channels. Essentially, PR emphasizes reputation and trust, whereas advertising focuses on direct promotion and sales.