Activism Defense and IR

Just wondering with the increased popularity of activism and therefore activism defense, what makes of corporate IR? 

My impression with corporate IR is it's the average Joe of the investment industry, decent pay, decent work (depending on industry, can be somewhat intellectually engaging but surely repetitive), pigeonholing if you do it long enough. 

But with the increased popularity of activism in the last decade or so, what effect does that have on corporate IR?

-Does IR in general have a more important role now, and to what extent (is the role a lot sexier than before or still very much the average Joe)

-In a typical activist campaign, what role does IR play? is their role significant or the activism defense advisor does most of the heavy lifting? 

Lastly, this one might be a bit dumb (sorry), but when a company engages an activism defense advisor, I imagine the advisor would be advising the company management (instead of the company itself) - is this understanding correct? if not pls correct.