“The New CCAO and CCO Mandate”: Navigating a New Era of Corporate Leadership 

Published

As the role of business in society continues to evolve, so too does the remit of corporate affairs and communications leaders. New research from United Minds, a subset of Weber Advisory, reveals how Chief Corporate Affairs Officers (CCAOs) and Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) are adapting their strategies and their influence in an increasingly complex environment.

 

The second installment in our ongoing study explores the pressures and opportunities shaping the modern mandate for CCAOs and CCOs, as they guide companies through a landscape defined by political volatility, cultural scrutiny and rapid technological advancement.

 

“This research underscores how the scope of the corporate affairs function has grown—both in complexity and influence,” said Sheila Mulligan, President of Weber Advisory. “As organizations face rising stakeholder expectations and unpredictable external forces, strong CCAO and CCO leadership is more critical than ever.”

 

Key Insights from the Report:

  • From Reactive to Proactive: Corporate affairs leaders are playing a greater role in shaping business strategy—not just communicating decisions but influencing them.
  • Political Navigation as a Core Function: In an age of hyper-polarization, leaders are becoming key architects of corporate responses to regulatory challenges and reputational risks.
  • Always-On Reputation Management: Crisis communications is no longer episodic. Companies are investing in real-time intelligence and cross-functional coordination to maintain trust in a 24/7 news cycle.
  • Employee Communications with Care: Internal messaging is being handled with increased sensitivity, balancing transparency with compliance and a deeper cultural awareness.
  • AI as a Strategic Enabler: From scenario planning to media monitoring, artificial intelligence is helping communications teams work smarter and faster, automating routine tasks so they can focus on strategic counsel and risk mitigation.

 

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the landscape and societal issues remain front and center, the findings from The New CCAO and CCO Mandate offer both clarity and foresight for leaders navigating today’s most urgent communications challenges.

 

Explore the full report below and learn how United Minds helps leadership teams deliver value in a high-stakes world.