What are some differences between traditional marketing communication efforts and integrated marketing communications? Solution traditional marketing communication With the advent and increasing use of digital marketing tools, small business owners might begin to overlook the role of traditional advertising, promotions and public relations in their communications mix. Identifying old-school marketing techniques and reviewing them when you do your marketing planning helps you create the most effective strategies for increasing your sales. Marketing Communications Business owners not trained in marketing might think magazine ads, TV spots, billboards and direct mail pieces are examples of marketing, but they are actually a subset of marketing, which is the overall strategic planning involved with bringing a product or service to market. Once that effort is completed, you create marketing communications, such as advertising, public relations and promotions, as tactics to support your marketing strategies. Advertising Advertising differs from other forms of marketing communications in that it usually uses someone else .