Final answer:
Public relations activities are less likely to support increasing short-term sales as they focus on long-term brand reputation, gaining understanding, and building trust rather than immediate sales conversion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Public relations (PR) are designed to shape the public perception of an organization and build a favorable image. Its marketing objectives typically include gaining understanding, building trust, and informing and educating the audience about the company's values, practices, and products.
This strategy relies on creating a positive relationship with the audience, and not necessarily on immediate sales conversion, which means PR is generally not aimed at increasing short-term sales.
While advertisements can be influential and sometimes manipulate consumer beliefs to achieve sales objectives, public relations activities tend to focus on long-term brand reputation rather than immediate sales spikes. The aim is to prevent the spread of false narratives and create an image based on credibility, as opposed to using high-pressure sales tactics.
Therefore, among the options provided, the marketing objective least supported by PR activities is usually increasing short-term sales.