Developer Relations is more than marketing. It's co-creation.

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A question that framed my early MBA dissertation research is “Why does Developer Relations (DevRel) get described so differently depending on who you ask?”

Ask a senior marketing leader, and you’ll often hear something like: “DevRel is a specialised form of developer marketing.” It’s a framing that Tessa Kriesel challenges in More Than Marketing, and one I’ve heard plenty of people in the industry either defend or push back against.

I understand where the idea comes from. DevRel involves content, community, events, and advocacy. It contributes to awareness and whether developers decide to use the product. For organisations trying to draw an org chart, marketing is one of the closest boxes on the page.

Value Co-Creation on Chris Reddington

Developer Relations is more than marketing. It's co-creation.