Welcome to the First Bannerton PR Newsletter of 2025!

It’s been an exciting start to the year, with ambitious client PR schedules in place.

As we dive into media planning and engagement, here are some important trends worth sharing, especially for those starting new roles or embarking on new business ventures.

PR vs Marketing: Clearing up Confusion

One thing that’s increasingly clear is the confusion between public relations (PR) and marketing. While both are integral to business growth, they serve very different purposes.

Marketing pushes products, services, and offers out to an audience, often through paid channels like advertising or sponsored posts. On the other hand, PR is about earned media, building trust, and establishing a brand or individual as an authority in the field.

PR is not just about getting media exposure; it’s about shaping brand reputation and building the long-term trust and credibility with your audience that advertising alone can’t deliver. This authentic presence strengthens a business and positions it for sustained growth.

Future-Proof Your Brand with PR

While influencer marketing delivers short-term visibility, PR is what builds long-term credibility. Social platforms, trends, and algorithms will continue to shift, but earned media, strategic storytelling, and thought leadership will always hold weight.

The brands that win in 2025 won’t just chase trends—they’ll build reputations that last. Is your brand’s visibility backed by real credibility? Let’s talk about how PR can future-proof your success.

Bannerton PR: 17 Years of Strategic Communication

The world of communication is constantly evolving—from print to digital, from Google to AI-driven storytelling. Over the past 17 years, Bannerton PR has helped brands navigate every shift, ensuring their message remains powerful, credible, and relevant.

Trends change, reputation lasts. If you’re ready to build real influence, let’s talk.

Why PR is Key to Long-Term Success?

Here’s why PR should be an essential part of your marketing strategy in 2025:

• PR creates long-term credibility for a brand by securing placements in trusted, independent media outlets. This type of visibility gives brand authority and helps build understanding and a loyal audience.
• With the unpredictability of social media platforms, PR provides a stable foundation and the flexibility to use multiple traditional and social platforms.
• PR uses many communication channels. Media coverage helps your brand stay top-of-mind and is complemented with strategy including sponsorship, events, speaking platforms, and digital content.

While influencer marketing can deliver a quick result, PR is an investment in a brand’s future and the sustainable trust that supports growth and business expansion.

The Growing Dependence on Influencers: A Risky Move?

Another trend is the growing reliance on influencers for brand visibility. While influencer marketing has its place and can provide powerful reach, businesses should be careful about putting all their marketing eggs into one basket, particularly when it comes to social media platforms.

Take TikTok in the US; practically wiped out overnight. A few years ago, the platform was on top of the world, offering unparalleled access to millions of potential customers. If a marketing strategy is heavily dependent on social platforms, it opens the door to risk—whether it’s a system shutdown, a platform ban, declining popularity, or a change in algorithms that reduces organic reach.

This is where consistent PR, using widespread media and leveraging different news and topical content, comes into its own. Building brand reputation through expert opinion pieces, business development news, and trusted third-party endorsements is sustainable.