Public relations refers to a. a seller-directed flow of communication, often in a face-to-face encounter, designed to promote a product with the purpose of making a sale. b. an individualized communications program specifically designed for a single customer because the item being sold is unique to that person. c. a mass selling approach that has been tailored to meet the more select needs of a target market based on age, gender, ethnicity, or occupation. d. a form of communication that is intended to counteract any negative information or misinformation that has been instigated by competitors or disgruntled customers. e. a form of communication management that seeks to influence the feelings, opinions, or beliefs held by customers, prospective customers, stockholders, suppliers, employees, and other publics about a company and its products or services.

Public relations is the practice of deliberately managing the spread of information between an individual or an organization and the public. 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.