What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
advertising
Example
The company spent a lot of money on advertising their new product. [advertising: noun]
Example
She works in advertising and helps create ad campaigns for different clients. [advertising: gerund or present participle]
publicity
Example
The new restaurant got a lot of publicity after being featured in the local newspaper. [publicity: noun]
Example
The company hired a publicist to help them get more publicity for their upcoming event. [publicity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Advertising is more commonly used than publicity in everyday language. Advertising is a well-established industry with a wide range of media channels and formats, while publicity is often associated with PR or media relations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between advertising and publicity?
Advertising is typically associated with a more formal tone, while publicity can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the nature of the media coverage.