Why Cutting Communications Leadership Is a Risk You Can’t Afford Right Now
By 829 Studios
Only 71% of Fortune 500 companies currently have a Chief Marketing Officer. That stat, reported by Fortune, might seem like a data point—but it’s actually a warning sign. Behind it lies a deeper trend: communicators are losing ground in the C-suite just when companies need them most.
According to a recent Briefing Notes essay from SBS Comms, this couldn’t come at a worse time. As businesses brace for a volatile political cycle, market uncertainty, and internal disruption, strong communications leadership isn’t just important—it’s essential to survival.
Here’s why the decline of the communicator is dangerous, and what businesses should do about it.
The Disappearing CMO—And What’s Replacing It
Titles are shifting. Fewer companies are naming traditional CMOs, but we’re seeing a rise in:
- Chief Brand Officers
- Heads of Global Business Marketing
- Chief Strategy Officers
- Chief Communications Officers
These roles may vary in scope, but they share a crucial throughline: they oversee how a company communicates with employees, customers, investors, and the press.
In other words, while the title might be different, the need remains the same. Companies need someone at the top thinking about voice, values, and visibility.
In an Election Year, Communications Are a Strategic Advantage
We’re heading into a year marked by political division, shifting media priorities, and emotionally charged headlines. For companies, this means:
- Press cycles will become less predictable
- Employee sentiment will be more reactive
- Social and cultural stances will carry higher stakes
Without strategic communicators in the room, companies risk saying too much, too little, or the wrong thing altogether.
Communicators Don’t Just Handle Crisis, They Define Identity
One of the most compelling points made by SBS Comms is that communications leaders are the ones who help a company figure out what it actually stands for.
Take Epic Games, which has two senior communicators advising the CEO. Their decision to take on Apple in a lawsuit over App Store policies was about more than legal strategy. It was about defining values and projecting those values to the world.
In moments like these, communicators aren’t executing a message. They’re shaping it.
What You Lose When You Cut Comms
It’s easy to view PR and marketing as cost centers during a downturn or leadership shuffle. But here’s what you lose when you reduce communications leadership:
- Clarity during moments of uncertainty
- Consistency across internal and external messaging
- Credibility when values are put to the test
- Speed in responding to media and market moments
- Alignment between executives and employees
At a time when corporate trust is fragile and reputation is currency, that’s too much to risk.
So Who’s Helping You Define What You Stand For?
This isn’t just about press releases or email campaigns. It’s about asking the hard questions:
- Do our stakeholders know what we believe in?
- Are we communicating proactively—or reactively?
- Do we have a leader who can help us listen, frame, and respond with integrity?
If the answer is no—or you’re unsure—then it might be time to revisit how communications leadership fits into your org structure.
Final Thoughts
The landscape has changed. The media is shifting. Employees are watching. Audiences are more skeptical. And silence can speak as loudly as a statement.
Whether the title is CMO, CCO, or something new, the need remains the same. You need a communicator at the table—not just to manage messaging, but to help shape the company’s identity and lead through complexity.
Need help building a communications strategy that earns trust, defines your brand voice, and stands up under pressure? At 829 Studios, we partner with executive teams to craft clear, consistent narratives that guide your brand through whatever’s ahead.
Let’s talk.
