Direct Answer
Branding is the long-term identity of a business — name, logo, tone, story, visual system, promises. Marketing is the short-term execution that delivers that identity to customers — ads, content, social, email, SEO. Branding answers 'who are we and why should anyone care?' Marketing answers 'how do we tell that story this week?'
Voice answer (≤30 words)
“Branding is the long-term identity of a business. Marketing is the short-term execution that delivers that identity to customers.”
Marketing without branding is noise; branding without marketing is a secret. You need both, in proportion.
Most service businesses under-invest in branding — even $2,000 of brand work compounds for years.