Skip to main content
Delphine Rieutord Communication

I'm Delphine Rieutord. I structure and amplify communication for companies that want to go further.

Like a Communication Director involved from strategy through to delivery. That's what makes the difference.

01 - My story

What brought me here

Over the course of my career, I have worked for both large companies and smaller, growing organisations.

That experience convinced me of one thing: communication should be a genuine partner in a company's development, not a back-office support function.

When it is involved in decisions, aligned with business goals and managed over the long term, communication helps strengthen reputation, support transformation, build trust and drive growth.

Yet in many small and mid-sized businesses, communication is still too often split across multiple suppliers, handled when time allows or only called on when an urgent need arises.

My time inside a fast-growing SME reinforced that conviction. These companies need the same level of expertise and oversight as a large group, but with an approach suited to their size, resources and priorities.

I also believe a strategy only has value when it is put into practice. Recommendations alone do not move a company forward. It is concrete action, sustained over time, that delivers results.

It was this dual conviction - making communication a business partner and turning decisions into action - that led me to set up my fractional Communication Director practice.

A model that lets leaders access senior expertise, ready to work from day one and tailored to their needs, without the constraints of hiring.

02 — My approach

How I work and what sets me apart

I understand the business before touching communication

I always start from your objectives, what is holding you back, what you truly want to achieve. The communication I build must serve your growth, not the other way around.

I am strategic and operational. Both at once

I build the strategy and stay involved in delivery. You do not have to translate recommendations into actions, that is my job.

I work with your teams, not alongside them

I integrate, collaborate and bring people together. My role is not to do everything alone, it is to create the conditions for everyone to move in the same direction.

I put your clients at the centre

What guides every decision is how your clients and partners will perceive, understand and feel what you communicate. Not what looks good. Not what is trendy. What is right for them.

I stay calm when things get complicated

Transformation, crisis, pressure, sensitive issues... I have learned to stay on course in difficult moments. You need someone who brings perspective, method and stability. That is precisely my role.

03 — My engagement

Member of The Place, the community of Communication Directors who are claiming their seat as business partners

Being independent doesn't mean being isolated. It's a conviction I've held from day one.

That's why Delphine Rieutord has decided to join The Place in early April 2026, the community of Communication Directors who share the same conviction: the Communication Director's role must be exercised as a true business partner, not as a support function.

This is exactly the posture I bring to my clients every day. Being part of this community means continuing to challenge my practices, exchanging with peers facing the same issues, continuing to learn, and staying demanding about my craft, even while working independently.

Read my interview

04 — FAQ

FAQ

How does your experience as a Communications Director benefit SMEs?

My 25 years of experience, gained in both international companies and communications agencies, enable SMEs to benefit from a level of strategic thinking and execution that is often associated with much larger organisations. This experience allows me to bring: - Proven communication strategies developed in demanding business environments. - The ability to anticipate challenges thanks to experience across growth, transformation and international projects. - High standards of consistency and quality, developed in organisations where reputation and corporate image were business-critical. - The ability to work alongside CEOs as a strategic partner, speaking the language of business rather than communication alone. As a result, SMEs gain access to senior communications leadership without the need to recruit a full-time executive.

Why do you specialise in digital, B2B and e-commerce businesses ?

My specialisation reflects the sectors in which I have built most of my career and where I have developed the deepest expertise. It is based on: - Extensive hands-on experience in digital, B2B and e-commerce environments. - A strong understanding of the business challenges faced by growing companies. - In-depth knowledge of B2B communication, where credibility, trust and expertise play a central role. - Familiarity with digital-first businesses, where visibility, reputation and executive thought leadership have become essential competitive advantages. This enables me to become operational quickly, without a lengthy learning curve about your industry or business model.

Do you only work with small and medium-sized businesses?

No. My experience enables me to support small businesses, SMEs, mid-sized companies and large international organisations. My decision to focus primarily on SMEs is a positioning choice, not a limitation of my experience or capabilities. Throughout my career, I have worked with organisations of very different sizes, including: - Small businesses and SMEs. - Mid-sized companies. - International organisations, particularly at eBay, where I led communication initiatives across France and Europe. - Executive Committee experience as Chief Marketing Officer at idealCO. Today, I primarily support SMEs because they often need senior communications leadership but do not yet require, or cannot justify, a full-time Communications Director.

How has your experience in agencies and in-house roles shaped the way you work with clients?

Having worked both in communications agencies and in senior in-house leadership positions gives me a balanced perspective on the realities of both worlds. This enables me to: - Understand business priorities from a leadership perspective. - Appreciate the operational constraints faced by agencies and specialist partners. - Act as an effective bridge between CEOs and external providers. - Combine strategic thinking with high standards of execution. This dual experience allows me to become a trusted strategic partner who can align business objectives with communication execution.

How has the role of the Communications Director evolved in recent years?

The role of the Communications Director has become significantly more strategic. Today, communication is expected to contribute directly to business growth, reputation and executive leadership. Key developments include: - Digital transformation: communication is now largely driven through digital channels, content and AI-powered tools. - Closer alignment with sales: communication increasingly supports lead generation, customer trust and business development, particularly in B2B environments. - Executive visibility: CEOs are now expected to play an active role in representing their company, especially on professional platforms such as LinkedIn. - More flexible organisations: businesses are increasingly turning to fractional executives for strategic functions, including communications. - Greater demand for authenticity: audiences value genuine, expert-led communication over highly polished but impersonal corporate messaging. These changes reinforce the need for experienced strategic leadership capable of adapting communication to rapidly evolving business environments.

05 — Contact

Let's explore what I can do for you.

Let's take 30 minutes to talk. No obligation. Just a conversation to see how I can support you.

Let's discuss your challenges