Experts in Spreading the Word

Since I went to school for a traditional English and Literature degree, I left school knowing about the must-reads of British and American literature from eighteenth century to the present. Interning in advertising and a small newspaper, I quickly assessed and confirmed where my interests lie. Curious to learn more and understand the connect between brands and consumers, my current experience in public relations is definitely adding to my knowledge of "how things work." However, I can't seem to settle, what the difference is between marketing and PR? I can't help but think these two roles might be double dipping. Think about it - let's say you're creating a campaign to raise awareness for something. Where does marketing come in, wouldn't you tap into a PR company? In the PR world, marketing is used as a verb (let's market this by doing XYZ), but marketing folks like to think they are the "big" idea... Being the biased PR girl that I am, I would like to say, PR is queen and marketing follows the lead. In the interest of expanding knowledge and spread the word, like any good PR girl, here's what I know about PR and marketing.
PR is about measurement and reputation - how many people know about you or your product or your message and how many people like it. PR has control over messaging and trends. Here's an example, Kleenex is a household name, my guess is some savvy, super cool PR girl working for Kimberly Clark refused to call it tissue until it caught on. She probably called people, stalked the internet and called it monitoring, and threw an event called "Dry your eyes here's a Kleenex" - a relationship forum for women going through break ups/divorces/PMS. So there you go - message spread, PR = A+*. So, then what is marketing? If marketing is the management process that establishes how to execute successfully to satisfy both consumer and organization... is the difference how the brand relates to you vs how you relate to the brand? Courtesy of Ads of the World, here's the best answer I've received.

Interesting right? Choose your field wisely, where do you want to fit in, when it comes to brands, the message and the recipient.

*Fictional analysis, not actual

How much is that worth?

First I would like to say I appreciate a solid ad campaign as much as the next writer, but Mastercard your priceless-ness is becoming affordable. How can a person living in New York miss the ad campaign painting the subway and bus stations asking consumers to "sign up for a priceless New York experience". At its beginning,  the ad campaign had what Malcolm Gladwell would call 'stickiness'; the ability for culture to pick up a concept or fad and embed it into society as a way of life, but frankly times have changed and anything built with adhesive can fall off with the heat from the next hot slogan.

Maybe it's the whole process of becoming an adult, but I've learned everything costs something. The most sacred relationships can be torn apart by monetary value. It makes you think, what are you worth to someone? Do you ever turn down an expensive dinner or drinks out because it's the end of the month or pay day is too far away, and you think "it's not worth it". To give kudos to the ad campaign, these moments are priceless -- put it on your Mastercard!

Unfortunately, people and credit cards have limits. People are considered valuable by the contribution we can offer. Additionally, since we are also a comparative culture you can always find value in how the person measures up relative to something else. Even a relationship is subject to this price branding. Love is the eternal supply and demand example. If you give someone all your love and the demand for it isn't there, you lose. And the reverse rings true -- if you demand love from someone and they don't have enough to give you, you lose. Is there a 401-K for love? The love with a spouse, love one, sibling or parent ... Can you store all the love that you have with someone in the event you have a falling out? In which case you'll have a fund that you can draw from stocked with memories and evidence of that once solid love? Now that would be something to invest in!

Speaking of investments Mastercard, I beg you let the ad giant come up with something new for you in regards to a new ad campaign ... Use the promotion of giving away a priceless experiences in New York as a PR initiative. I'm surprised there wasn't a change in direction especially with today people are putting a price on anything! Unfortunately, nothing is priceless but maybe you could take a spin on the priceless concept, and tell consumers : Yes. It's worth it.