A SPOKESPERSON IN THE DIGITAL AGE: TRANSFORMATION, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

  • Nadiia Bilan Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Vitalii Kornieiev Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
  • Margaryta Netreba Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University
Keywords: spokesperson; press office; digital communications; social media; digital platforms.

Abstract

The study aims to explore the transformation of the role of the spokesperson in the digital age due to the expansion of the spokesperson’s scope of activities as a result of personal interaction with the public, the need to manage modern digital platforms, ensure consistency of messages and adapt to the new format and speed of news dissemination.

The article analyses the challenges that spokespersons face in the information space today, identifies the communication opportunities that spokespersons face in connection with the integration of digital platforms, and tracks the activities of the spokesperson for the President of the European Council, Ecaterine Casinge in terms of her activity on platform X to position the spokesperson and establish mutual understanding with the public.

To deepen the understanding of the role of the spokesperson in the modern information space, the authors used such research methods as statistical analytics, in particular, the content analysis method, to systematize and cover the spokesperson’s messages on a digital platform, such as a sample of the official account of the institution’s spokesperson on a social network. The content included press releases, social media posts, live video messages, and public engagement. The empirical basis of the study is the content of the social platform X from June 2023 to September 2024 by the spokesperson for the President of the European Council, Ecaterine Casinge.

The effectiveness of the spokesperson’s communication strategy was studied, which gave an idea of the level of audience coverage and interaction of the content with the public. The study provides quantitative indicators of the involvement of the target audience of Ecaterine Casinge to assess the effectiveness of her communication activities. It has been found that the spokesperson ensures that her messages are conveyed to the public through retweets of information materials.

The results of this study should be used to outline the future role of the spokesperson in the context of integrating artificial intelligence and virtual and augmented reality. The spokesperson of the future must balance new digital capabilities with the needs of the audience and act in a transparent, reliable and authoritative way.

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Author Biographies

Nadiia Bilan, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Doctor of Social Communications, Associate Professor,

Professor of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations

of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Journalism

Vitalii Kornieiev, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Doctor of Social Communications, Associate Professor,

Professor of the Department of Social Communications

of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Journalism

Margaryta Netreba, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University

Ph.D. in Social Communications,

Docent of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations

of the Faculty of Journalism

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Published
2024-12-23
How to Cite
Bilan, N., Kornieiev, V., & Netreba, M. (2024). A SPOKESPERSON IN THE DIGITAL AGE: TRANSFORMATION, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. Integrated Communications, (2 (18), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.28925/2524-2644.2024.1814
Section
Advertising and public relation