Nice to Have – or Need to Have? The Professional Challenges of the Communication Sector

Abstract

The present article argues that despite the considerable development and expansion of strategic communication as both an academic field and professional practice during the 20 th century, strategic communication continues to have an ambiguous status in academia as well as professionally. The article argues for two related explanations of this ambiguity: 1) a communicationinternal perspective concerning the interdisciplinary, practice-based and semi-professional nature of strategic communication, and 2) a communication external perspective concerning the integration of and priority given to strategic communication in organizations. Both aspects constantly challenge the effectiveness, position and power of communication employees, making it necessary for them to continuously prove their worth – in relation to other professionals, in times of crisis, etc. Strategic communication in the Danish public sector is included as an empirical example, as communication practitioners, especially in this context, seem to be faced with professional challenges not least related to the organizational (external) setting, but also based on the (internal) nature of strategic communication.