There is a very good comment on the post explaining the difference between Marketing, Public Relation, Advertising and Branding. The comment is from a guy called Tricky and explains other forms of interaction between companies and consumers like Tech Support, Direct Marketing, Telemarketing, … I reproduced it below: 

The buzz word in today’s business world is MARKETING. However, most people often ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing."

Here it is:

You’re a man and you see a gorgeous woman at a party. You go up to her and say, "I’m fantastic in bed," That’s (((Direct Marketing)))

You’re at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous woman. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says,"He’s fantastic in bed," That’s(((Advertising)))

You see a gorgeous woman at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day you call and say, "Hi, I’m fantastic in bed," (((That’s Telemarketing)))

You’re at a party and see a gorgeous woman. You get up and straighten your tie. You walk up to her and pour her a drink and then say, "By the way, I’m fantastic in bed," That’s (((Public Relations)))

You’re at a party and see a gorgeous woman. She walks up to you and says, "I hear you’re fantastic in bed," That’s (((Brand Recognition)))

You’re at a party and see a gorgeous woman. You talk her into going home with your friend - That’s a (((Sales Rep)))

Your friend can’t satisfy her so he calls you - That’s (((Tech Support)))

You’re on your way to a party when you realize that there could be gorgeous women in all these houses you’re passing. So you climb onto the roof of one situated toward the center and shout at the top of your lungs, "I’m fantastic in bed!" That’s (((Junk Mail))