The communications field has always had its share of bold-faced names, but the industry was more often found toiling behind the scenes. Social media, though, has been changing that convention.

Principles such as “transparency” and “authenticity” go beyond lip service to the core DNA of digital communications, which has meant PR staff not only pen Op-Eds for executives but also put their names on corporate blogs and their photos on branded Twitter accounts. Thus successful corporate accounts on ...