Which of the following is NOT a component of the marketing mix?

The marketing mix traditionally consists of the four Ps: Product, Price, Promotion, and Place. In this context, Product refers to the goods or services offered to meet consumer needs, Price indicates how much customers pay for the product, and Promotion encompasses the various methods used to communicate with potential customers and promote the product. Place refers to the distribution channels through which the product reaches the customer.

Public relations is a function that plays an important role in marketing, but it is not considered one of the core components of the marketing mix. Instead, it can be seen as a subset of promotion, along with advertising, sales promotions, and other promotional activities that aim to create awareness and generate interest in a product or service. Since public relations does not fall under the original four Ps, it stands out as the correct answer to the question.