ADVOCACY
As noted earlier in the discussion of applying the Lewis model to public relations, public relations often differs from other forms of marketing communication because the end result of a communication program is not necessarily the sale of products or services . One of the key measures for the success of public relations programs is the ability of a program to create advocates among the target audience for a brand, product, service, issue or topic.
A recent study by The Nielsen Company reinforces this axiomatic belief in the value of advocacy.xli In that study, 90 percent of respondents cite recommendations from a person known to them as information they “completely” or “somewhat trust.” According to this study, a recommendation from a known person is the most trusted source of information on products and services. Consumer opinions posted online is the source that is ranked second in trust with 70 percent of respondents saying they “completely” or “somewhat trust” this source.