Considers the development of public relations in UK fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms. Argues that public relations is making some inroads into the traditional marketing promotional mix by acting either in a complementary way or in place of traditional advertising. Also considers the diversification of public relations activities at the corporate level; and the trend towards interaction and integration of the corporate and marketing public relations functions. Through in‐depth interviews with ten leading, but unnamed, UK FMCG firms, argues that public relations has been developing in emphasis and expenditure within such firms over the past decade. Undertakes an approach to describing a rationale for the growth of public relations.