A New, New Media Chief at Defense?

Seems like the White House got the memo on the <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090415_8127.php">importance of social media to national security</a>.

Seems like the White House got the memo on the importance of social media to national security.

While I was discussing the National Defense University's report on social media and national defense with former Defense new media chief Jack Holt, he mentioned that his title recently changed to senior strategist for emerging media. The reason for the new business card? Apparently, the White House has a job description out for his former position as chief of new media operations at Defense. More interesting, the position will be politically appointed.

So it looks like the Obama administration not only recognizes the strategic importance of social media at the Pentagon, but they view as politically sensitive enough to warrant having their own person in charge rather than a career official.

If you're wondering what exactly that person will be doing, check out our lead article on the NDU report, which details the various ways in which social media can be used to support national security. The NDU report itself should be released later this week.

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