Some brands seem to be everywhere – showing up in glossy magazine spreads, popping up in your social feed, or getting shoutouts in online articles. And while ads definitely play a role, there’s often something else going on behind the scenes: PR. If you’re unclear on the difference between PR and advertising, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common misconceptions we come across. So let’s break it down:
Advertising = Paid Media
Advertising is all about control. You pay for the space, you decide what it says, and you control exactly when and where it appears. This could be a banner ad, a paid social campaign, a sponsored post, or a print ad in a magazine.
The pros? You get instant visibility and can be super targeted. Ads are great for short-term goals like boosting sales, launching a new product, or increasing traffic to a website or landing page. You can fine-tune your audience, run A/B tests, and scale campaigns quickly based on performance.
But there’s a catch: ads stop working the second you stop paying. They can be expensive to maintain, and most audiences can spot a sponsored post a mile away. That sense of authenticity and trust? Not always there. In fact, many consumers have developed a habit of scrolling past ads without really engaging. It becomes noise unless it’s paired with something deeper and more meaningful.
PR = Earned Media
Public Relations is all about credibility. Instead of paying for space, you’re earning it by having journalists and media outlets choose to feature your brand, product, or insight.
That could look like a journalist including your product in a gift guide, a quote from your founder in a trend piece, or a feature on your brand story in a national or trade publication. PR doesn’t happen instantly, and it can’t be guaranteed in the same way ad placement can, but when it lands, it hits differently. Why? Because it comes from a trusted third party. The story is being told about you, not by you.
The result? Long-term visibility, credibility, and organic brand awareness. A single piece of press coverage can be shared, linked to, and referenced again and again. It positions your brand as part of the wider conversation—something that’s far more powerful than a paid campaign that runs for a week or two and then disappears.
PR can also open the door to more opportunities. Once you’re on a journalist’s radar, you’re more likely to be considered for future features, expert commentary, or trend roundups. It helps you build relationships within the media that keep delivering value over time.
So, which one is better?
Truthfully? The best strategies use both. Advertising helps you gain visibility fast, but PR helps you build a reputation that lasts. It’s not about choosing one or the other—it’s about understanding the role each one plays.
Think of advertising as the spark that draws attention, and PR as the foundation that keeps people coming back. One delivers short-term traction, the other builds long-term trust.
And when you combine them? That’s when your brand becomes truly memorable. The fast wins of advertising get amplified by the third-party validation of PR. And your media coverage becomes the proof point that supports your paid messaging.
Where Press Loft Comes In
At Press Loft, we’re all about making PR simpler for brands and agencies who want to get seen and trusted. We help you get your products and expertise in front of journalists who are actively searching for content. Whether it’s through press releases, expert insights, or a beautifully curated press office, we make it easy to get discovered.
You don’t need to be a PR expert or have a huge team behind you. Our tools are designed to give brands of all sizes a chance to be featured in top-tier publications and niche outlets alike.
If you’re ready to start getting the kind of media attention money can’t buy, we’re here to help!
What is Press Loft?
Press Loft is a PR platform specialising in the home, gift and lifestyle sectors that helps thousands of brands to get their products into the press. Our PR tools allow brands to easily secure press coverage and quality backlinks for SEO by connecting them with our network of 25,000+ journalists, bloggers and influencers.
Did you know that we offer a FREE trial of our PR tools (including press release distribution) for new brands? Click here to start your free trial and join over 1,300 brands already using Press Loft to boost their brand!
