Marketing with meaning: Katelyn Young on strategy, authenticity and proving value

In this episode of the Pocket-size PR Podcast, host Charlotte Nichols speaks with Katelyn Young, founder of Juin, about redefining what it means to work in marketing today. With a career shaped by determination, critical thinking, and a deep respect for strategy, Katelyn brings a grounded perspective to the evolving role of marketing and communications professionals.

She explores how PR shapes perception beyond media coverage, why authenticity must underpin every comms decision, and how young marketers are often set up to fail in environments that lack leadership, structure and strategic clarity. Katelyn also shares how she’s working to change that, through her agency, Juin, and her coaching role at Fabric.

From her creative approach to early job applications (including a CV designed as a property listing) to her current focus on aligning marketing with business goals, Katelyn makes a strong case for embedding strategic thinking and performance metrics into every marketing function. She also discusses the importance of understanding stakeholder communication styles—and how the book Surrounded by Idiots helped sharpen her approach.

Whether you're leading a team, building a brand, or mentoring the next generation of marketers, this episode offers practical insights on how to elevate marketing’s role from a service function to a strategic partner.