CEOs Losing Confidence in Comms But Increasing Investment
Snapshot: The global economy remains stable, with G7 countries forecasted to grow by 1-2% in 2025 and inflation moderating without triggering a recession. While supply chains have normalized post-pandemic, geopolitical risks—such as U.S.-China tensions and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East—continue to pose challenges. Against this backdrop, corporate leaders are re-evaluating their approach to stakeholder engagement and crisis response.
A new report from The Weber Shandwick Collective highlights a growing disconnect between CEOs and their communications teams. Only 17% of CEOs feel their comms and public affairs teams are fully equipped to handle today’s rapid economic, geopolitical, and cultural shifts. While 70% of global executives expect volatility to increase in 2025, just 27% report increased confidence in their communications functions over the past three years.
Larger multinational firms—particularly those operating in over 20 countries—are the most likely to have lost confidence in their communications strategies. Instead, CEOs are prioritizing customer engagement (86%), followed by investors (73%) and employees (45%), leaving policymakers and local communities as secondary concerns. However, political considerations remain in play, with many companies adjusting their public messaging in response to the new U.S. administration.
Despite declining confidence, CEOs are still increasing investment in key communications areas. 59% plan to expand marketing and brand-building efforts, while crisis management (29%) and government relations (32%) are also gaining priority. In contrast, DEI and ESG initiatives are seeing cutbacks, reflecting a broader corporate shift toward risk mitigation over social advocacy.
As reputational threats evolve, communications teams must balance agility with long-term strategy. With CEOs feeling unprepared for political scrutiny, workplace division, and external protests, the demand for skilled crisis management and corporate diplomacy is only growing.
Full story: AXIOS