On this episode, hosts Farzana Baduel and Doug Downs, SCMP, go head-to-head on one of PR’s most debated questions: Is public relations its own strategic function, or just another tool in the marketing kit?

They explore how PR and marketing overlap, diverge, and compete for influence inside organizations. What starts as a debate over purpose, tactics, and KPIs quickly becomes a broader conversation about ethics, reputation, and the future of strategic communication.

This is a bold, no-guest, no-filter episode, a debate between two seasoned pros who agree on the facts, but not the framing. Whether you work in-house, agency-side, or sit at the executive table, this episode will challenge how you define the work you do, and who it should report to.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by the guest are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the Stories and Strategies podcast.