I’m the first ‘chief creator officer’ at my company. Here’s why I think more C-suite roles should focus on influencers and brands

• Ashley Rudder joined Whalar in September 2021 as North American head of creator partnerships.
• She’s now the company’s first global chief creator officer, leading a team of 30 professionals.
• She explains how her experience as a creator helped land this role and her top priorities for 2023.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ashley Rudder, Whalar’s global chief creator officer. It has been edited for length and clarity.