Anthea Desmond has commenced a new role as Media and Communications Manager at the NSW Irrigators’ Council. She has wrapped up more than three years at the Port Authority of New South Wales as Senior Media & Communications Advisor. Prior to this, Anthea worked in communications at a number of local government councils and within the emergency services sector.
Conducted between September and November 2025, the survey features responses and insights from 125 senior communications executives from across industries.
Participants shared insights into the modern chief communications officer role, including the importance of being a business leader first, a comms leader second; developing leadership, judgement, and influence; and maintaining curiosity and learning.
Key survey findings include:
Respondents ranked strategic business thinking and financial acumen (66 per cent), executive presence and ability to counsel C-suite leaders (66 per cent), and mastery of the communications craft (53 per cent) as the three most important skills for success as a CCO.
Business and financial acumen (24 per cent) and executive presence(24 per cent) were also selected as the top skills CCOs needed to develop on the job most after becoming a senior communications leader, followed by cross-functional leadership; influencing without authority (19 per cent).
Respondents ranked the same three qualities as the top skills that the senior leaders on their current team need for the CCO role: business and financial acumen (76 per cent), executive presence (64 per cent), and cross-functional leadership (56 per cent).
In response to the most important professional development experiences for future CCOs, 91 per cent of participants selected working across comms disciplines as the most critical, followed by managing teams (68 per cent) and crisis management (55 per cent).
AI and automation (66 per cent), growth of misinformation (38 per cent), and political and social polarisation (30 per cent) topped the list of external forces CCOs expect to shape their role over the next three to five years.
The St. Regis Hong Kong has announced the promotion of Vivian Wan to Director of Marketing Communications. In her new role, Vivian leads the hotel’s marketing and communications function, overseeing the development and execution of integrated strategies that increase The St. Regis Hong Kong’s brand presence.
She also drives guest engagement and supports commercial objectives across local, regional, and global markets.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Director of Marketing Communications at The St. Regis Hong Kong. I look forward to working with our talented team to craft compelling narratives and innovative campaigns that celebrate the hotel’s timeless luxury, exceptional service and unique experiences."
Vivian was most recently Assistant Director of Marketing Communications at the hotel. She brings more than a decade of industry experience, her career spanning luxury hospitality and F&B, having held roles at Rosewood Hong Kong, Aqua Restaurant Group, Maximal Concepts, and Hysan Development Company.
Stefanie Francesca has stepped up at iD Collective as Head of Brand Experiences. She has been with the agency for more than 11 years and was most recently General Manager of PR and Communications.
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