Main image

CEOs in the Traditional Media

18th October
2010
written by Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross

I was surprised in our recent research on Social CEOs that CEOs we studied were not silent over the past two years. Whether in spite of or because many CEOs and their companies suffered significant reputational blows in the past year, CEOs did not pull back from traditional media — newspapers, magazines and news services — but used them as vehicles to narrate their company point of view and tell the story as they saw fit. In 2009, the world’s top CEOs were quoted 28% more than in 2007.  If you remember, 2007 was a good year when everyone had a reason to speak up. CEOs are clearly taking their role as company narrator to heart. I believe they now realize that silence gets filled by detractors and over the past two years, the knives have surely been out.  As well, I think that boards are more demanding of their CEOs to take their story to the media. In five years, I think that more CEOs will be taking to the “social” airwaves as well.

Tags: , ,
CEO reputation, Communications, Governance, Research, Social CEO, social media, Weber Shandwick

2 Comments

  1. Oscar Del Santo
    24/10/2010

    I also believe one of the reasons they may be doing so is because they read your excellent book on the topic and internalized its message! :-)

  2. Dr. Leslie Gaines-Ross
    24/10/2010

    Thank you for saying that. Appreciate. Best, lgr

Leave a Reply