Jennifer Rice continues this dialogue.

I've been thinking about the term "relationship catalyst" as it applies to the marketing department.... I see marketing's role as catalyzing communication and relationships between stakeholders

I think I like this a little more than my earlier offering of "resolving the conflicting needs and interests of stakeholders"; it encompasses that function but sounds a bit more exciting and a bit less problem-orientated. My take on marketing is strongly influenced by my training in facilitation as well as my more conventional marketing background. I see the two as very closely related. Bad marketing, like bad faciliation, tries too hard to make people do things; good marketing, like good facilitation, allows people to realise the value of collaboration...