Explore Professional Challenges and Opportunities in Corporate Communication. Talks, panel & drinks, hosted by Corporate Communication Centre, RSM and EACD Netherlands. An exclusive event that dives into the shifting landscape of corporate communication – and what it means for driving strategic impact.

In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, the field of corporate communication is undergoing rapid transformation. The roles, responsibilities, and strategic expectations for in-house communication professionals are shifting dramatically. To thrive, professionals must proactively shape their position within organisations and demonstrate their strategic value. Join us for this exclusive event that brings together key voices in the corporate communication field to explore the latest research, emerging trends, and actionable strategies for the corporate communications function and department position

Why attend?
  • Discover trends shaping the future of corporate communication
  • Learn how to strengthen your professional role strategically
  • Engage in dynamic networking with peers and thought leaders
What to Expect

Renowned thought leaders will present top-line findings from their groundbreaking research into the roles and perceptions of in-house communication professionals:

  • Professor Ansgar Zerfass, Leipzig University
    Drawing from extensive research, he will explore how leaders, managers, and internal stakeholders perceive the role and value of corporate communication departments.
  • Francine Rutgers, Corporate Affairs Search Alliance (CASA)
    She will share insights from their research into the trends in job profiles, turnover rates, and evolving responsibilities of Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) in top organisations.
Moderated by Professor Joep Cornelissen of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), the session includes ample opportunity for interaction and discussion, making it both an informative and highly engaging event.
Programme
  • 17:00 – Welcome with coffee & tea
  • 17:30 – Introduction by Prof. Joep Cornelissen (RSM)
  • 17.35 – Introduction by Elvira Luykx (EACD)
  • 17:40 – Prof. Ansgar Zerfass (Leipzig University): Internal perceptions of communication leaders
  • 17:55 – Francine Rutgers (Corporate Affairs Search Alliance): Career paths and roles of CCOs
  • 18:10 – Panel discussion with the speakers, moderated by Prof. Cornelissen
  • 18:45 – Networking drinks

 

Meet the speakers

Professor Joep Cornelissen, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)

Joep Cornelissen is Professor of Corporate Communication and Management at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. The main focus of his research involves studies of the role of corporate and managerial communication in the context of innovation, entrepreneurship and change. In addition, he also has an interest in questions of scientific reasoning and theory development in management and organization theory.
He is a former Associate Editor for the Academy of Management Review, a Council member of the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies, a former General Editor of the Journal of Management Studies (2006-2012) and serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies and Organization Studies.

 

Professor Ansgar Zerfass, Leipzig University

Ansgar Zerfass is Professor and Chair of Strategic Communication at the Institute for Communication and Media Studies at Leipzig University, Germany. He also teaches executive courses at BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, and RSM Rotterdam School of Management.
He holds a doctorate in business administration and a habilitation in communication science and has worked for ten years in management positions in the corporate world.
Ansgar Zerfass has received more than 20 best paper awards and several personal awards, including the renowned Pathfinder Award from the Institute for Public Relations in New York. To date, he has published 44 books and more than 450 articles and study reports in several languages in his research areas of corporate communications, communication management and evaluation, digital communication, and international communication.

 

Francine Rutgers, Corporate Affairs Search Alliance (CASA)

After a career in communications on the agency side and in the corporate world, I decided to move into executive search in 2000. Founding Herman Rutgers Executive & Interim Search in 2008 brought the icing on the cake: entrepreneurship. Our agency is specialized in executive search for top positions in corporate affairs & communications across all types of sectors and industries. The added value of having the right corporate affairs or communications professional in the right place becomes particularly clear when the organization’s reputation is under pressure. This is when board members and communications directors need to be able to rely on each other’s understanding and trust.

 

Elvira Luykx, EACD Netherlands

Elvira is currently Head of Communications Strategy, Insights and Operations at ASML on an interim basis. She is an experienced communications professional, with a track record in corporate affairs and communications within multinational companies, and a background in Public Affairs consultancy. In her roles at companies such as Numico (Danone), Reckitt and DSM she engaged in stakeholder dialogue, acted as a spokesperson, developed corporate positioning, and guided organisations through crises. Prior to joining ASML, she worked as an interim consultant overseeing global business transformations for FrieslandCampina and Versuni (formerly known as Philips Domestic Appliances) where she was responsible for driving communications and change.