The role of PR (Public Relations) in promoting a film

While most are well aware of the importance of marketing while promoting a film, not many are aware of the importance of PR – Public Relations.

PR and Marketing go hand in hand – When a promotional event for a film is planned, the role of PR is maximising the reach and coverage of the event across various platforms. A great PR agency ensures that the event gains maximum eyeballs and is covered across news channels.

For example – If a trailer launch of any forthcoming film is planned – the role of PR is to inform the various journalists about the event, ensure and track the coverage of the event. If a certain film plans to promote itself in various cities like many films plan their city promotions in various cities – then the role of PR is to tap the local media in those cities and ensure the event gets covered in the local press in that city (e.g Rajasthan Patrika is the leading newspaper when you visit Rajasthan).

Unlike marketing, PR of a film begins the moment a film is announced. If a film is announced and is all set to go on floors for shoot, the role of a PR company is to get exclusive news and stills from the shoot and constantly be in news till the trailer and songs from the film are out. That’s why a PR job is actually a lot longer and more challenging job than marketing.

There are various PR companies that have worked on some of the best films recently. We have mentioned a few companies along with the films that they have handled in recent times – in no particular order

  • Mandvi Sharma (Chennai Express, Happy New Year)
  • Spice PR (Ghajini, Taare Zameen Par, Welcome, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
  • Raindrop Media (Aashiqui2, Hasee Toh Phasee , Tevar)

Now that you know the difference between PR and marketing, tell us the best job that a PR company has done to keep the movie in news – right from the announcement to its theatrical release.

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