Branding refers to the process of creating and managing a unique identity for an organization, product, or service in the minds of consumers. It encompasses various elements, including brand strategy, visual identity, messaging, and customer experience. Effective branding helps differentiate a company from its competitors, builds trust and loyalty among customers, and influences purchasing decisions.
Advertising and Promotion help marketers to create a distinctive place in customers' mind. Various mass media is used, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The aim of promotion is to increase awareness, create interest, generate sales or create brand loyalty.
Public relations may include an organization or individual gaining exposure to their audiences using topics of public interest and news items that do not require direct payment. This differentiates it from advertising as a form of marketing communications. Public relations aims to create or obtain coverage for clients for free, also known as 'earned media', rather than paying for marketing or advertising. An example of good public relations would be generating an article featuring a client, rather than paying for the client to be advertised next to the article.
Companies employing customer segmentation operate under the fact that every customer is different and that their marketing efforts would be better served if they target specific, smaller groups with messages that those consumers would find relevant and lead them to buy something. Companies also hope to gain a deeper understanding of their customers' preferences and needs with the idea of discovering what each segment finds most valuable to more accurately tailor marketing materials toward that segment.