The evolving role of the Chief Communication Officer (CCO) is taking centre stage in today’s corporate landscape.
In our For Immediate Release podcast episode 424, Shel Holtz and I explore a new survey report from the Observatory on Corporate Reputation (OCR) highlighting the expanding responsibilities of CCOs. The findings from research among Fortune 1000 companies show that CCOs are increasingly taking on additional business functions, giving rise to the ‘CCO-Plus’ title and role.
Such roles are already integrating various functions among the Fortune 1000, according to OCR, including:
- Chief Communication and Marketing Officer (CCMO) at 57 companies
- Chief Communication and Human Resources Officer (CCMHRO) at 33 companies
- Chief Communication and Sustainability/ESG/Impact Officer (CCSEIO) at 29 companies
- Chief Communication and Corporate Affairs Officer (CCCAO) at 28 companies
The survey found that CCO-Plus roles have increased by 88% since 2019, outnumbering traditional CCO roles for the first time. CCOs are now overseeing areas such as those listed above, reflecting a trend towards more integrated communication strategies. OCR says this evolution positions CCOs closer to the executive decision-making process, allowing for a more cohesive approach to organisational messaging and stakeholder engagement.
The CCO Juggler’s Act
Axios reported that the rise of the CCO-Plus role means communication is at the centre of all a company does or is viewed as a catch-all.
Yet, there are big challenges to balance with such role integration.
While combining roles can streamline operations and position communication as a strategic business function, it may also dilute focus and strain resources, potentially impacting the effectiveness of communication and the additional functions absorbed.
“These findings don’t necessarily mean that the CCO-Plus is better than the CCO. It could be that there are some companies that are getting enough value by keeping their comms team focused, whereas on the CCO-Plus side, it might signal that maybe communications is not enough by itself.”
Craig Carroll, OCR Executive Director, quoted by Axios, 15 August 2024
In our podcast discussion, Shel and I consider how merging these roles enhances organisational efficiency and strategic alignment. We ask whether the added responsibilities could overwhelm CCOs, compromising performance quality. We also wonder what structures and support systems are necessary to ensure success in these hybrid roles.
You can listen to our 20-minute conversation right here; or, if you don’t see the embedded audio player below, listen on the episode 424 show notes page on the podcast website.
On a final note, Axios says in its report that many communication teams have been tasked with integrating artificial intelligence into corporate workflows. With this in mind, a new alphabet soup title — Chief Communication and AI Officer, CCAIO — could also be on the horizon.
Related Listening:
- FIR #361: Is There A Seat At The Table in Corporate Communication’s Future? A new study from Edelman polled hundreds of Fortune 500 Chief Communication Officers about the future of corporate communication. The results include… (25 October 2023)
(Image at top created by Adobe Firefly via Adobe Express to the simple prompt “business executive juggling”. This was the first of four images suggested by the app and the one I liked most.)
