Successful organizations are breaking down
In fact, over the last two decades, PR and IR have grown further and further apart. The idea of coordinating campaigns for the greater good can seem challenging. But the two have natural synergies, so the question remains: Is there a way to reconcile this mutually beneficial relationship?
Lines have been drawn
While both IR and PR teams are responsible for promoting the company, they rarely work together because they report to different corporate officers. IR reports to the chief financial officer because they are responsible for communicating the finances of the company to financial analysts, investors
So, with their seemingly completely different tasks, IR and PR teams buckle down and focus on the tasks at hand without any thought of each other. However, opening a dialogue between the two could potentially strengthen and clarify a company's message while increasing visibility, resulting in more sales and stronger partnerships.
Three quick ways to bridge the divide
Here are three ways to gain quick wins in the effort to create an open dialog between IR and PR.
Sharing industry trends
The PR team is constantly on the hunt for the latest industry trends and events, which they use to produce thought leadership by the company's experts. IR is often buffeted by news items that cause investors to demand an explanation
Sharing coverage
The number and quality of articles secured for the company are often the
Often, these pieces are not seen by IR until they search the company website to determine what good things have been said in the last quarter by the media and industry analysts (assuming the website is kept up to date). Since coverage wins are frequently sent the same day and the coverage is sent from the PR team to the marketing team, it would be simple enough to include IR on the communication thread.
Ideally, IR would see the coverage as it comes in, helping them to pick and choose items along the way that would be of interest to IR's key audiences. For instance, large investors put a great deal of value on awards. Awards should be sent immediately to IR so that they can promote them in their discussions and communications.
Sharing timelines
Timelines of upcoming events are integral to both groups. The PR team's focus is on press releases, trade shows, presentations at events and awards. IR looks towards quarterly results, scripting earnings calls
By joining forces and sharing information, the quality of communication would generate greater interest from prospects and investors while improving return on investment and reducing duplicated efforts.