Basis for Comparison

Advertising

Public Relations

Meaning

A technique of drawing public attention to products or services, mainly through paid announcements, is called Advertising/ a practice of strategic communication that aims at building mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the public.

Media

Purchased/earned

Communication

One way/ two way

Focuses on

Promotion of product or services, with an aim to induce the intended audience to buy./ Maintaining a positive image of the company in the media

Control

The company has full control over the ad./ The company can pitch the story, but has no control over, how media uses or does not uses at all.

Placement

Guaranteed/ no guarantee

Published

As long as you are willing to pay for./ only once

Credibility

Less/high