Weber Shandwick Launches CCO 4.0, First Impact Analysis Tool for Chief Communications Officers in a Digital World

- Appoints Don Spetner Senior Corporate Advisor to Spearhead Initiative -

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Dec 03, 2013, 11:45 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global public relations firms, announced the launch today of CCO 4.0, a comprehensive, disciplined approach that enables CCO's to benchmark the effectiveness of their organization, assess strategic direction and examine their role and visibility as leaders in today's era of engagement.

Consisting of five distinct service offerings, CCO 4.0 provides Chief Communications Officers with a departmental assessment and recommendations to maximize effectiveness; a metrics dashboard to drive, measure and communicate results; an organizational scope and design benchmark; a peer organization/leader visibility scan; and a CCO executive equity and engagement plan to drive a CCO's strategic visibility and thought leadership.

"The role of the Chief Communications Officer has never been more complex or demanding," said Micho Spring, chair of Weber Shandwick's Global Corporate practice. "Our mission is to continuously deliver the most forward-thinking solutions for our clients, and CCO 4.0 will help C-Suite leaders develop a clear and decisive strategy for effectively engaging stakeholders and telling their company story across the many platforms required in today's always-on Engagement Era."

Appoints Leading CCO Expert and Strategist Don Spetner
The agency also announced that it has appointed leading CCO expert and corporate affairs strategist Don Spetner as Senior Corporate Advisor to spearhead the new offering. With more than 30 years' experience in the communications field, Spetner will serve as a strategic resource for CCO's among the firm's global corporate clients. He has served as the Chief Communications Officer for three global, publicly traded firms, including Korn/Ferry International., SunAmerica Inc., and Nissan North America. He also spent 10 years as a member of Korn/Ferry's Corporate Affairs executive search practice, and has recruited and placed CCO's at some of the world's largest companies. As Senior Corporate Advisor, he will work with the agency's Global Corporate practice and its clients under the leadership of Micho Spring.

"We've created the first impact analysis tool in the industry that is designed specifically for CCO's, and there is no better strategist and innovator than Don Spetner to lead this initiative," said Spring. "Aside from his long record of success as a global CCO himself, Don's commitment to client service and problem-solving is second to none, and we are excited to bring his expertise and enthusiasm to support our clients across the globe."

Prior to his roles as CCO, Spetner spent a decade with public relations agencies, including tenures at GCI, Bozell Inc., and Ruder Finn Inc. He has been named an "Industry All Star" by Inside PR magazine, and his essays on communications have been published in PRWeek, The Journal of Corporate Public Relations and Public Relations Quarterly.

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries. The firm's diverse team of thinkers, strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work, including four 2013 Cannes Lions. Weber Shandwick was also named PRWeek's International Consultancy of the Year and The Holmes Report's Best Healthcare Consultancy in the World in 2013, in addition to earning numerous best place to work accolades. The firm deploys deep expertise across sectors and specialty areas, including consumer marketing, corporate reputation, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate social responsibility, financial communications and crisis management, using proprietary social, digital and analytics methodologies. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.