William Reed Hires First Comms Director

William Reed appoints Oliver Druttman as its first communications director, recruiting him from Zeno London to lead corporate reputation strategy.

William Reed Business Media has appointed Oliver Druttman as its inaugural communications director, recruiting the corporate reputation specialist from Zeno London where he spent four years directing high-profile client accounts. This landmark appointment signals the media company's strategic elevation of its communications function amid industry-wide transformation in publishing and corporate storytelling. The move reflects increasing recognition that corporate communications must evolve from tactical media relations to strategic reputation management in the digital age.

This creation of a dedicated communications leadership role contrasts with the traditional media company approach of delegating communications to marketing or human resources departments. While many publishing organizations have been slow to professionalize their own communications capabilities, William Reed is demonstrating that media companies themselves require sophisticated reputation management to navigate industry disruption and maintain stakeholder confidence. The hire validates that successful corporate storytelling now demands specialized expertise, even for companies in the business of creating content.

For public relations executives and media industry leaders, this appointment signals a broader trend of communications function elevation within content-driven organizations. The immediate implication is that other media companies will face pressure to similarly professionalize their communications leadership or risk being outpaced in narrative control. The forward-looking insight suggests that the most effective strategic communications will increasingly integrate corporate messaging with digital content strategy, creating seamless narratives across owned and earned channels. This development will likely accelerate industry hiring of communications professionals with both agency experience and digital content expertise, potentially reshaping career paths across the public relations landscape.