Professional profile and LinkedIn activity of communication directors at Spain’s most reputable companies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18568/cmc.2026.e3115Keywords:
chief communication director, dircom, LinkedIn, Merco, SpainAbstract
This study analyses the professional profile, presence, and level of activity on LinkedIn of communication directors (dircoms) from Spain’s most reputable companies. The research represents a first approach to examining the professional and educational characteristics of dircoms, their presence on LinkedIn, their level of monthly activity, and differences in presence and activity according to gender and the size of their digital communities. The results show that dircoms maintain an active presence on LinkedIn; however, their posting frequency remains low. Differences are observed in terms of gender and community size: men publish more frequently, and profiles with larger communities tend to be more active. In addition, journalism emerges as the predominant educational background, alongside a growing academic and functional diversity.
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