[New Report] PR and IR Collaboration: Best Practices and Challenges Revealed

In a fast-moving, AI-driven environment, companies must communicate quickly, clearly and consistently across audiences. This demands stronger collaboration between public relations and investor relations, whose traditionally separate roles now overlap as stakeholders consume the same content.  

Disjointed messaging creates costly confusion, making unified capital narratives - linking a company’s actions, values and performance - essential. The most effective stories are shaped jointly by PR and IR, early and intentionally. 

That’s why we teamed up with PRWeek to survey leading communicators to uncover where they’re in sync, where they still face challenges and what it all means. 

The result? Our brand-new report: The Comms-IR Relationship: High Stakes, Higher Expectations.

In this blog, you’ll learn: 

• How often PR and IR teams meet 

• The biggest risks of misalignment 

• How you can take advantage of missed collaboration opportunities
  
  

How Often Do Public Relations and Investor Relations Teams Meet?

One of the biggest myths in communications is that PR and IR only connect during earnings season. Not true. 

Our research discovered that 55% of PR and IR leaders connect weekly - sometimes several times a month - even outside of earnings and investor days. For many, this is simply the new normal. 

When PR and IR do come together, the result is smarter strategy and more confident storytelling. 

• PR leaders said that IR brings audience perspective, investor insights and analyst sentiment - which help them craft messages that truly resonate. 

• IR leaders rely on PR for media reach, creativity and proactive outreach - which help them go beyond financials to tell a bigger story. 

As Scott Stanzel, Chief Communications Officer at Truist, told us: “The IR team’s awareness of investor and analyst sentiment helps shape and strengthen messaging that the communications team uses with the media.” 

And from the IR side: “Quarterly earnings events each are like successive chapters in a book and comms helps us write every chapter,” said Bobby Grau, Director of Investor Relations at Kyndryl. 

But here’s the catch: despite frequent touchpoints, gaps remain that can lead to mixed messages, missed media opportunities and market confusion. 

[Download the report]

Why Is Misalignment Between Public Relations and Investor Relations So Risky?

Our research found that while nearly 70% of PR and IR leaders say collaboration has improved, many admit there are still gaps in messaging. That’s a red flag, because even small inconsistencies can create big problems. 

“Misaligned messaging can create volatility in brand perception, eroding trust among key stakeholders - confusing the market, shaking investor confidence, straining partnerships and undermining employee morale,” said Dani Dudeck, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Instacart. 

One way to close this gap is through unified technology. 

While IR pros ranked market intelligence platforms highest and communications teams prioritized media monitoring, both functions essentially track stakeholder sentiment and market perception – suggesting missed opportunities for integrated platforms and data that serve both audiences while driving further collaboration. 

And the danger isn’t just confusion. When investors, media and employees hear different versions of the story, it can hit reputation - and even valuation. And in today’s world, where one headline can spread in seconds, alignment is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s mission critical. 

How PR and IR Teams Can Stay Aligned

The good news is that staying aligned doesn’t require layers and layers of complexity. 

It’s not rocket science, but it does take discipline. 

• For PR leaders: Keep communication open with IR. Hold regular check-ins, review key releases together and make sure both sides understand the top priorities. 

• For IR leaders: Share investor feedback, analyst insights and potential developments early. Bring PR into the planning process so messages are consistent across all audiences. 

• For both: Build trust and respect in the relationship. The stronger the partnership, the better the results. 

“Meet weekly, stay in tune on all upcoming news releases, ensure comms is familiar with IR messages. Continue collaborating so both teams are on the same page,” said Lori Chaitman, Global Head of IR at Kyndryl. 

This kind of ongoing dialogue creates a workflow that’s proactive instead of reactive - and that’s when collaboration really starts paying off.