Do you see what I see? An examination of perceptions between advertising and public relations professionals

•Examines the relationship between public relations and advertising professions.•Identify responsibility for communication-related tasks.•Survey of advertising and public relations professionals.•Establish a baseline for perceived relationship between both professions.

This study represents an initial step in the empirical understanding of integration as it relates to the advertising and public relations fields. Using a survey of practitioners (n = 1076) it finds that while many practitioners are aware of integration efforts within organizations, they may be less than enthusiastic about the concept. The results offer suggestions both for the practice and education of professional communication.