Final answer:
Distribution is not part of promotion; instead, it refers to the process of making a product or service available to consumers and is known as a 'place' in the marketing mix.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which of the following options is not part of a promotion, which includes various marketing activities that communicate the features and benefits of a product or service to persuade customers to choose it over competitors' offerings. The elements typically involved in promotion are advertising, public relations, sponsorship, and sales promotions, among others.
Among the listed options, which are sponsorship, public relations, advertising, and distribution, the one that is not part of promotion is distribution. Distribution refers to the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business user, using direct or indirect means, with indirect means being used more than direct. In the context of the marketing mix or Four Ps, distribution is better known as 'place,' and it is responsible for the strategy around how and where a product is provided to customers.