It does seem that most of the innovation is coming from the smaller business area, regardless of industry. As you say, there’s no real distinction between what you’re offering clients – you do have to have your multi-faceted head on if you want to meet their needs.

The trick is in getting the mix right, but more and more that seems to be happening and I wouldn’t be surprised if 5-10 years from now, we’re looking at a more enveloped description for what we all do.

But yes, I agree, for companies to have distinctly differing departments that don’t work together, that’s one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. Usually a lot of these hurdles is because neither will “give way” and accept the other as a legitimate partner – it’s more about the one-upmanship of “my industry is better than yours”.

The education thing is an interesting one. You’re right, it all begins with the education, which is why it’s encouraging to read the comments by both Drew Weaver and Jamie Kim. I know there are many more universities going this route now (there are two excellent ones in my city, for example), so hopefully the newer breed of professionals coming through can start to bridge the gap even more.

Although it’ll still come down to the existing professionals actually wanting to adapt and work together…

People ask me whether I’m in marketing or PR. My answer always references my clients: When you’re a small business owner, you can’t afford the luxury of distinguishing between the two. It’s ALL marketing. It’s ALL public relations. EVERY conversation, every piece of collateral, every interaction is an opportunity to build, deepen or capitalize on a relationship. The small business owner is focused on one thing: growing his business. Call it PR, marketing, or whatever you like. It’s all the same to him.

Social media accelerates the blurring. It turns every individual who didn’t have a voice before — including small business owners, employees, bright minds with introvert personalities — into an instant communicator. And, more importantly, it dissolves the barriers between consumers and the brands they use every day.

Suddenly, neither marketing nor public relations seems an apt description. You have to be able to perform both functions with the same tools. The trick is that you have to be able to market to people without coming across as a marketer. Use your social media tools carefully, and your customers will think you’re just being responsive, accessible, and engaged (PR type stuff)…all the while turning them into evangelists for your brand and disseminators of your message (marketing type stuff).

Reckon there’s a problem with education too, feel it gets too outdated. Marketing students still have to learn the 4 P’s, how a product should fulfil a basic need,… A need explains why you buy a t-shirt, but not why you chose a grey one or a yellow one. Start at the source… schools.

Marketing and PR from @dannybrown [link to post] – are they two peas in a pod?

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Of course, the next step is in helping to show the benefits of “less really does equal more” and prove that it’s a workable approach. But we’re already seeing that a lot of the old methods aren’t as effective as they used to be. Perhaps the timing is right – as you say, we’ll soon find out.

On the subject of the marriage of PR and marketing, I’m seeing it first hand too. My wife is a PR major with a minor in marketing. She was encouraged to go that route by the university and there are many others doing the same.

The next few years will be very interesting in my opinion. Especially when we’re able to look back and see the changes being brought on by social media and the Internet in general.

@dannybrown shares interesting insights on if there is room for “market relations” [link to post] (Like this concept) Ur thoughts?

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Long-term growth and stability (man, I sound like an accountant!) is definitely key; but do all companies have that luxury? Perhaps with the cost savings offered by social media (financially, at least) there will be longer stays of execution for businesses to have a chance at building these long-term relationships.

RE. the conversation, I’ve always said the comments are the real juice – I’m damned lucky to have such a great community and I’m happy to be a part of it.