Corporate Communications vs. Marketing? Round Out Your Experience

Recently Berkhemer Clayton has been hired by clients to fill several different positions that combine corporate communications and marketing functions. Historically, the rise to the top communications post in a company—the Chief Communications Officer—has involved the traditional path of increased responsibility in the areas of public relations, public affairs, executive communications, employee relations, and crisis communications.

However, with the realization that breaking down silos between public relations and marketing can help an organization convey a more consistent brand image, more companies are creating integrated communications roles at the mid- and senior levels.  This is further fueled by the rise of digital communications, and the function-blending communications opportunities it has created.

Most career paths tend toward public relations or marketing, but not both, as evidenced by the challenge we faced in finding high quality candidates whose backgrounds combined the two disciplines. In order to bring the most value to a communications or marketing role—and to make yourself more desirable when seeking that next move up the corporate ladder—take opportunities, whether through work, continuing education, or seminars, to round out your experience and see things from both sides of the aisle.