Answer:
public relations
Explanation:
Public relations can be defined as a promotional tool which is used to manage publicity and tries to influence the publicity received to be of benefit to the company.
In the question, the journalists realising that the F-150 is the best, this definitely male Ford to receive great publicity.
Foe one to use personal selling, such company needs to have face-to-face contact with the consumer. In this case Ford was targeting journalists here, not consumers.
Ford did not pay for the F-150 to be placed in any TV shows or movies. There is no form of product placement in the example.
In this case Ford invited journalists to test their own trucks. It did not pay to sponsor some other event. He didn't pay them to write about the F-150.