What is a Director of Content (compare to Editor in Chief)?

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Permalink Reply by Kerry Smith on February 12, 2009 at 8:30am

Your thinking is right on with respect to where we need to move; and how we should be viewing our core offering to our communities, which is quality content delivered via multiple channels. The challenge is that although "content" is probably the most accurate term to describe the role, it's still a word that seems a bit vague (e.g., does it include white papers? custom publishing? customer content?). That said, I think you'll see it being used more and more to frame the role you are describing, so perhaps you're ahead of the curve!

So, either Editorial Director or Content Director might work.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Globus on February 18, 2009 at 1:25pm

That's exactly why I like the term -- it's versatile, and it encompasses any number of platforms, whether currently in vogue or still a developer's pet project. With things moving so fast, we need a title that can grow with an editor's evolving role in mediating, engaging and expanding conversations within communities, regardless of the means of doing that. I do think we'll see that kind of title used more often -- but like you said, we'll have to wait and see!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Convertito on February 12, 2009 at 12:44pm

Content Director works. Editorial Director is appropriate if the EIC is under your command, maybe consider Creative Director if you operate in conjunction but the EIC has ultimate say (and responsibility) for their content.

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Permalink Reply by Keith Gregory on February 12, 2009 at 2:32pm

Community Manager is one title we have- mostly reflects online, and does encompass some of what you described.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zingalis on February 12, 2009 at 4:04pm

Content Director - He directs your content into the bank...so it makes money.

Or if inept and reckless, he drives you to bankruptcy online with an aloof look on his face as he drives the ship under the water. Spends like a gambler, drinks like a sailor, and will profess his failure as success to the next company he plans on tanking (See 'c' level position for more info)

Or if ineffectual, someone else will simply do his job, but not get any extra titles or pay...becuase titles are important, and someone has to have them. Even if they don't know what the hell they are doing.

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Permalink Reply by Cable Neuhaus on February 18, 2009 at 10:50am

Titles are really elastic and don't mean terribly much. I've held both of these titles at various times, and the main point to keep in mind, I'd say, is that the director of content is often more of a big-picture person. The editor in chief gets tends to get down in the weeds more, works more closely with other editors and writers. Companies that have directors of content generally are larger, and if there's more than one title beneath the corporate umbrella, the so-called content editor (awkward designation, IMO) will oversee all of 'em. But again, these are generalizations. I hope this helps in some way, Rachel.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Globus on February 18, 2009 at 1:12pm

A title is window dressing to some extent, but I do think it affects how employees see themselves and their role.

Thanks for your thoughts - the consensus is there's no industry standard yet!

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Plantz on February 20, 2009 at 9:15am

In the old days I'd be a corporate Editorial Director, today I'm Director of Content. I've got people under me overseeing two or three magazines. In the old days they would be Editorial Director for the group, today I'm calling them Content Director -- Poultry, for example. That seems to be working for us.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Zingalis on February 20, 2009 at 9:36am

I think they had a title for this back in the day...oh yeah, webmaster.

We should talk about this some more. I'm sure it's going to do something for everyones bottom lines. lol

Some of these conversations on this site remind me of the violinists on the titanic playing a pretty song as the ship goes down. "Did we hit the C# right?", says violinist 1. "I'm not sure, but I do know that we are slowly sinking", says violinist2. Then they both say,"Very well...continue the song."

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