• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, May 7, 2015

In the continuous proliferation of CxO titles, a relatively new one is Chief Digital Officer. According to new data from the CDO Club, the number of Chief Digital Officers doubled from 2013 to nearly 1,000 in 2014. The CDO Club anticipates that figure to double again in 2015 to 2,000.

Here's some more insight on Chief Digital Officers from the CDO Club study:

• The advertising sector claims the largest percentage of CDOs, with 36%, followed by media (18%), publishing (13%), nonprofit (10%), retail (7%), financial (4%), and services (4%). 
• Globally, 68% of CDOs are located in North America (significantly down from 88% in 2013), followed by 23% in Europe (up from 7%); 6% in Asia; 2% in MEA; and 1% in South America. 
• The number of Chief Digital Officers in the United Kingdom has also doubled, from 35 in 2013 to 70 in 2014. The CDO Club projects this number will double yet again in 2015. 
• 81% of CDOs are male, 70% are Caucasian, and 98% are between 30 and 59 years old, with 54% being between 40 and 49, roughly the same as last year. 
• 54% of CDOs hold a BA degree, 12% an additional MA, 26% an MBA, and 9% a PhD.
• 60% of CDOs in the ad sector were previously CEO, President, GM, or Managing Director. 
• 30% of CDOs in the media sector were previously CEO, President, GM, or Managing Director