--- title: Is Public Relations Dead? How Digital Marketing Changed the Industry. description: Brands cannot continue to grow or compete in today's market without digital marketing. image: https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-09-59-7354-AM-3-3-3.png --- [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) [![Website Magazine Logo](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png?width=586&height=145&name=gradient-regular@3x-1.png "Website Magazine Logo")](http://Website%20Services,%20Inc.) - [About](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about) - [FAQs](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/faq) - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial Staff](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Resources](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com) - [Newsletter](https://www.websitemagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up) - More - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) Search - [Latest](https://www.websitemagazine.com) - [Design](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-design) - [Development](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-development) - [SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo) - [Ecommerce](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce) - [Content](https://www.websitemagazine.com/content) - [Marketing](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing) - [Advertising](https://www.websitemagazine.com/advertising) - [Email](https://www.websitemagazine.com/email) - [Infographics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/infographics) - [View All Topics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/channels) # Is Public Relations Dead? How Digital Marketing Changed the Industry. ![Marcus Howling](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Author%20Photos/Marcus%20Howling.jpg) [by Marcus Howling](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/marcus-howling) 16 Jan, 2023 - - - [mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/is-public-relations-dead-how-digital-marketing-changed-the-industry](mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/is-public-relations-dead-how-digital-marketing-changed-the-industry) - Link Copied! ![Is Public Relations Dead? How Digital Marketing Changed the Industry.](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-09-59-7354-AM-3-3-3.png) **There was a time when public relations, marketing, advertising and other corporate communications were all separate. Whether it be PR, TV, radio, print or ad space in multiple media outlets, success was hard to obtain without a decent marketing budget.** These market segments prevented small businesses and entrepreneurs from succeeding. Then the Internet and search marketing came along. Followed by social media and social media marketing. These two digital marketing channels have forever changed the way brands are marketed. Search and social marketing created new opportunities and helped even the playing field. Continue reading to learn how they also forced businesses to trade traditional marketing in for digital marketing. ## **The Beginning of the End for Public Relations and Marketing** Organic search is one of the first segments of digital marketing to give small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups a way to market a brand without a large budget. It also started to challenge traditional marketing and public relations and phase out the industry. Public relations isn't necessarily obsolete. The lines have just become so blurred that it's difficult to single out. By combining a website with blogging, content outreach and local, search companies were able to market their business without hiring large PR firms. Instead of paid print advertising, TV and radio dominating marketing budgets, it's now all about digital. Even the Taxi industry was dominated and pushed aside by the tech-savvy Uber and Lyft. The taxi industry even created an app to try and compete in that space. Yellow Cab owners should consider dropping old, stubborn ways and join ride-sharing apps. Uber and Lyft were first to include digital technology into their business model and they have had runaway success and will forever dominate market share. ![](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/missing-image-Apr-10-2023-01-10-42-1446-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-06-33-4847-AM-May-01-2023-09-20-56-3101-PM.png?width=779&height=403&name=missing-image-Apr-10-2023-01-10-42-1446-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-06-33-4847-AM-May-01-2023-09-20-56-3101-PM.png)Even Google has become one of the largest media and marketing outlets in the world; and PR and traditional marketing are fading fast. Take a look at this eMarketer chart. TV, for example, is shrinking compared to digital when comparing how consumers spend their time to ad dollars spent. ![ad-spend](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ad-spend-1-1-1.jpg "ad-spend") ## **How Social Media Helped end Traditional Marketing and Public Relations** The lines became even blurrier when the social media phase took over. It gave people who no longer had a voice, a platform to grow a brand and compete with major companies. Social media blended with organic and local search optimization are the new ingredients for small business owners and entrepreneurs to be successful. These two channels together have completely changed market potential and provided Americans another way to achieve and transcend their dreams. Look at this chart from Marketing charts that clearly shows social and SEO as the preferred channels three years ago. ![preferred channels](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/missing-image-Apr-10-2023-01-10-42-1446-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-06-33-4847-AM-May-01-2023-09-20-56-3101-PM.png "preferred channels") Also check out this list of 14 small businesses that found [success with the Internet, social media and technology](https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/07/best-social-media-marketing-examples.html). The most recognizable name on the list is hospitality giant Airbnb. ### **How Digital Marketing Changed the Entertainment Industry** Another perfect example of this is the music industry. Before the Internet and social media, musicians, artists and personalities didn't have a voice in the market unless they had a record label, agent, manager or PR company backing them. The Internet, SoundCloud, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and SnapChat have completely changed the industry. People are becoming famous from those channels alone and learning how to market and position themselves against larger competitors. Record Labels are even turning to digital platforms and people today rarely buy CDs. Why? Because of the Internet and social media. [This article](https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-star-sophie-turner-says-she-got-role-due-to-social-media-following-2017-8), for instance, points to actors and actresses landing roles based solely on the number of followers they have. Due to all of these factors, traditional public relations companies have been forced to add digital into their offerings. Content marketing has forced large print companies to buy up smaller digital media companies as they continue to try and make up for lost revenue. Companies are spending less money on radio and TV. Large retail stores are closing brick and mortar stores and selling more products online. It would be unwise to think a brand can continue to grow or compete in today's market without digital marketing. --- **About the Author** Marcus Howling, the SEO Doctor, is an SEO strategist at Amuse Digital. As one of the largest full-service [digital marketing firms](https://amusedigital.com/) in Houston, Amuse Digital is able to help increase online visibility. Marcus excels at mobile optimization, natural link building, keyword research, and analysis. **Keep Learning:** - [Survival of the Fittest: Reasons Public Relations Agencies are in Endangered](https://www.websitemagazine.com/blog/survival-of-the-fittest-reasons-public-relations-agencies-are-in-endangered) - [Embrace the Spin: Leveraging Performance Advertising for Public Relations](https://www.websitemagazine.com/blog/embrace-the-spin-leveraging-performance-advertising-for-public-relations) ![Marcus Howling](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Author%20Photos/Marcus%20Howling.jpg) [Marcus Howling](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/marcus-howling) Marcus Howling is a highly skilled search engine optimization specialist at Bullseye Strategy. With expertise in search engine optimization, Marcus has been able to help clients boost their online presence, increase website traffic and achieve higher search engine rankings. His focus on delivering results and his ability to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques, has made him a valuable asset to Bullseye Strategy and its clients. Marcus’ passion for search engine optimization is evident in his work, and he is dedicated to providing his clients with the best possible results. With a keen eye for detail and an in-depth understanding of search algorithms, Marcus is equipped to help businesses succeed online, making him an ideal choice for anyone looking to improve their search engine optimization efforts. - #### Popular Post ### [31 Back-to-School Keyword Targets ![31 Back-to-School Keyword Targets](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/schoolbus-1-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/31-back-to-school-keyword-targets) ### [GoDaddy Goes .XXX ![GoDaddy Goes .XXX](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-15-39-1451-AM-Apr-10-2023-01-36-09-0977-PM-3-1.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/godaddy-goes-xxx) ### [23 Cool Tech Facts ![23 Cool Tech Facts](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fact_100x100-2-1-1-1.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/23-cool-tech-facts) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! [![](https://a.impactradius-go.com/display-ad/13053-1438301)](https://semrush.sjv.io/c/3976891/1438301/13053)![](https://imp.pxf.io/i/3976891/1438301/13053) #### Latest in Marketing [![3 Tips to Make Your Website More User-Friendly in 2023](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-photo-2284350-1-1.jpg) 3 Tips to Make Your Website More User-Friendly in 2023](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/3-tips-to-make-your-website-more-user-friendly) [![Web.com Launches New Professional QuickStart Website Service](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-photo-4348404-1.jpg) Web.com Launches New Professional QuickStart Website Service](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/web-com-launches-new-professional-quickstart-website-service) [![6 Ways to Stretch Your Marketing Budget](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Feb-07-2023-03-32-33-0828-PM-Apr-25-2023-03-10-37-2214-AM-1.png) 6 Ways to Stretch Your Marketing Budget](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/6-ways-to-stretch-your-marketing-budget) [![5 Reasons Visitors Leave Your Website and Website Tracking Tools to Track Website Visitors](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/pexels-photo-1008155.jpg) 5 Reasons Visitors Leave Your Website and Website Tracking Tools to Track Website Visitors](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/5-reasons-visitors-leave-your-website) [![5 Lessons About Workplace Energy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/distress-1-1-1-1.png) 5 Lessons About Workplace Energy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/5-lessons-about-workplace-energy) [![Y Combinator Startups to #WebTechWatch](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/startup-funding-4-1-1-1.jpg) Y Combinator Startups to #WebTechWatch](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/y-combinator-startups-to-webtechwatch) [![gradient-regular@3x](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x.png?width=128&height=128&name=gradient-regular@3x.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/) 999 E Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018   [info@websitemagazine.com](mailto:info@websitemagazine.com) [(888) 7WEBMAG](tel:18887932624) [(312) 313-6576](tel:13123136576) About - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) Resources Membership - Login - Subscribe Signup for our newsletter © 2026 Website Magazine. All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/privacy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Marcus Howling", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/author/marcus-howling" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-01T21:22:54.945Z", "datePublished" : "2023-01-16T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Is Public Relations Dead? How Digital Marketing Changed the Industry.", "image" : [ "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-23-2023-12-09-59-7354-AM-3-3-3.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing/is-public-relations-dead-how-digital-marketing-changed-the-industry", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png" }, "name" : "Website Services, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Marcus Howling" } ], "headline" : "Is Public Relations Dead? How Digital Marketing Changed the Industry.", "publisher" : { "name" : "Website Magazine", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/" } } ```