Final answer:
The coverage of the company's annual day of service where employees picked up garbage falls under 'earned media from public relations' as it was covered by the news due to its newsworthiness, aligning with public relations efforts to enhance the company's image. Option a
Step-by-step explanation:
The example provided, where 500 employees participate in a day of service to pick up garbage, and the event is covered by the local newspaper and TV news, can be classified as earned media from public relations. Earned media refers to the publicity that is not directly paid for by the company or organization but is the result of their actions being deemed newsworthy by journalists or media outlets.
This is different from publishing paid articles as news content, which blurs the lines between journalism and public relations. The company did not pay for the coverage but earned it through their community service event, which aligns well with public relations efforts to improve the company's image and engage with the community.
Additionally, the example mentioned of President Obama's campaign event illustrates a planned media event designed to attract attention and generate positive media coverage, which is a tactic commonly used in public relations strategies. Option a