Chief Communications Officers' Areas Of Focus [CHART]

Chart: Areas Increasing Focus for CCOs

More than 7 in 10 global chief communications officers (CCOs) expect to increase their focus on digital communications in the coming 12-18 months, and 91% expect to work more closely with digital/social media departments over the next few years, according to a report [PDF] from Spencer Stuart and Weber Shandwick. Indeed, more CCOs expect to hire digital and social media talent over the next 12-18 months than any other position.

Currently, social media or digital communications are a primary responsibility for about three-quarters of CCOs, with media relations the most common primary responsibility (97%).

More than 9 in 10 are also responsible for crisis management or reputation management, and almost two-thirds expect to focus more on in the coming 12-18 months. In fact, when asked if they could focus on only one thing in their role, CCOs overwhelming pointed to reputation, with 4 times as many respondents choosing this over the next-most popular response, media relations (28% and 7%, respectively). Read the rest at MarketingCharts.com.