The Corporate Spokesperson in External Organizational Communication: What We Know and What We Need to Know

This article examines the role of the corporate spokesperson in three contexts of external organizational communication. The organization is characterized as a community member with certain communication needs and obligations to the community. The literature on the corporate spokesperson is examined in the contexts of normal organizational-media relations, corporate crises, and issues-management efforts. General orientations and approaches as well as specific suggestions and recommendations are outlined for each area in an effort to summarize what is known and to suggest future research areas.