The articles, reports, and heated conversations are all over the Web: Should CIOs become Chief Digital Officers (CDOs)? Is the CDO replacing the CIO (Chief Information Officer)?

Are CIOs willing – let alone prepared – to become CDOs?

The fact is, many high-profile CIOs have already become CDOs, such as:

• Stephen Gillett: Moved from CIO at Starbucks to CDO/President of Digital at Best Buy (and is now COO at Symantec)
• Stephen Laster: Mved from CIO at Harvard University to become CDO at McGraw-Hill Education
• Steven R. Smith: Migrated from CIO to CDO at AccuWeather
• Fred Argir: Previously CIO at Fingerhut and The Sports Authority and is now SVP and CDO at Toys R Us
• Michael Smith: Previously CIO at TheStreet.com. Michael is now at Hearst Magazines Digital Media (pictured below at the 2013 CDO Summit)

Prior to his role as Chief Digital Officer at Forbes, Michael Smith was CIO at TheStreet.com

<see also: Should CIOs be rebranding themselves as CDOs?>

 So, as CIOs are being told by analysts that 2014 is the critical year to focus on business strategy, the key question is: What can a CIO actually do to move into the prestigious, more strategic-business-focused CDO position?

The answer to that question depends on.....

*The rest of this article is for CDO Club members only*

If you are tasked with understanding what digital leaders must do in order to succeed in almost any industry, the best place to learn more is at the fast-approaching NYC Chief Digital Officer Summit, presented by Capgemini on April 29 2015.

Take advantage of our Super Early Bird Discount  for New York City in April 2015, Amsterdam in July 2015, Toronto in September 2015, London in October 2015, and Sydney in February 2016.  Reserve your place now:

NYC 2015 Speakers:

Dr. Didier Bonnet SVP and Global Practice Leader Capgemini Consulting	Jessica Federer Chief Digital Officer Bayer	Jo Ann Saitta Chief Digital Officer The CDM Group
Johanna Murphy CMO & Digital Director Ivanka Trump	Sree Sreenivasan Chief Digital Officer Metropolitan Museum of Art	Sumita Singh Senior Vice President Marketing, Corporate Markets Elsevier

The CDO Summit is the “must-attend” digital event of the year. The 2013 and 2014 CDO Summits received stellar endorsements from dozens of speakers and attendees alike:

“Sometimes a conference comes along that hits the trifecta – hot topic, high-caliber attendees, and stellar location. The first Chief Digital Officer Summit reached that mark with ease, and I look forward to attending the next one.”

Eric Hellweg
Managing Director, Digital Strategy/Editorial Director
Harvard Business Review

“The Chief Digital Officer Summit was outstanding. Why? Candid panels with top players in the digital community. Splendid break-time conversations. And, savvy facilitation, Mathison Style.”

Margaret Molloy
Chief Marketing Officer
Velocidi

“David, here’s a handy C^3 test for conference value: Did I learn at least three new perspectives? Check. Did I meet at least three interesting people? Check. Did I take back at least three relevant pieces of news I can use? Check. Flying colors for the Chief Digital Officer Summit 2013! Thank you so much, and yes, I’d be very pleased to participate next year!”

Perry Hewitt
Chief Digital Officer
Harvard University

“Congratulations on an exceptional first CDO Summit. I truly enjoyed all the panel discussions as well as the intimate environment where I was able to meet such amazing people. The conversations were very enlightening and touched on all the challenges my team and I face on a technology, content, and culture front. I look forward to participating next year.”

Laxmi Wordham
Chief Digital Officer
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

More Endorsements