IBM PR chief Jon Iwata outlined preliminary findings of the "future of the chief communications officer" research project during today's session of the Arthur Page Society's spring seminar held at Manhattan's Conrad Hotel.
Stressing the study is an evolving process, Big Blue's senior VP-marketing & communications, told the audience CCO's will:
1) Continue to be grounded in the enduring responsibilities of strong corporate communicators (strategic counselor, guardian of enterprise reputation, critical thinker and relationship builder);
2) Require differentiating business leadership skills (deeper business understanding, integration savvy, business leadership), and
3) Create and operate systems (leverage data, create channels/platforms that connect with individuals directly, shape not only opinion but behavior).
The IBM executive noted that software is increasingly becoming an important part of the CCO job.
That development is already in the works as Iwata pointed out more CCOs are more closely with chief information than they were five years ago.
The audience participated in a table exercise to provide input into the ongoing study
The Society's conference is themed "the indispensable CCO."
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