CISCO APPOINTS STEVE CLAYTON AS CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Cisco has hired Steve Clayton as its new Chief Communications Officer, effective January 5, reporting to CEO Chuck Robbins. Clayton brings 28 years of experience from Microsoft, where he was Vice President of Communications Strategy and Chief Storyteller, to drive Cisco’s storytelling and growth.

Cisco has appointed Steve Clayton as its new Chief Communications Officer, effective January 5, reporting directly to Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins. Clayton, a seasoned communications expert, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked at Microsoft for 28 years, most recently as Vice President of Communications Strategy and Chief Storyteller.

Clayton’s appointment marks a significant milestone in Cisco’s ongoing transformation, as the company looks to elevate its storytelling and communications efforts. “Cisco is at the center of the AI platform shift, and my goal is simple: to tell the next chapter of Cisco’s story with clarity, creativity, and ambition,” Clayton said, expressing his enthusiasm for the new challenge.

Robbins, who has been instrumental in shaping Cisco’s strategic direction, welcomed Clayton to the team, praising his “deep experience and vision” in helping to further elevate Cisco’s story and accelerate its growth. “Communications and storytelling continue to be at the heart of sharing our innovation and impact with the world,” Robbins wrote in an internal memo, highlighting the importance of effective communication in driving Cisco’s success.

Clayton’s predecessor, Maria Poveromo, left Cisco in October to launch an advisory firm, and Heather Dickinson has been serving as interim communications leader. Clayton’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Cisco’s communications team, building on the company’s strong foundation in innovation and customer engagement.

At Microsoft, Clayton worked closely with Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and the senior leadership team to shape communications for major acquisitions, including Nokia, LinkedIn, and Activision Blizzard. He also played a pivotal role in the company’s cultural transformation, demonstrating his ability to drive meaningful change through effective storytelling.

“I’ll miss working with [Clayton] and am really excited for him as he moves to Cisco,” said Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s Chief Communications Officer. Microsoft does not plan to replace Clayton, with his team reporting to Bonnie McCracken, General Manager of Innovation and Thought Leadership Communications.

Clayton’s appointment is a testament to Cisco’s commitment to investing in its communications capabilities, as the company continues to drive innovation and growth in the tech industry. With Clayton at the helm, Cisco is poised to tell its story with renewed clarity, creativity, and ambition, engaging stakeholders and driving business success.