What’s the Deal with Celebrity Creative Directors?

Last December, RadioShack named comedian and actor Nick Cannon as its chief creative officer. Cannon is one of several celebrities in recent years to assume a creative leadership role for a business brand. As a designer, one question was on my mind: What signal does it send to designers, art directors and creative directors who have climbed the corporate ladder at marketing and advertising agencies when celebrities like these are appointed to these roles?

But let’s answer this question first — what exactly does a creative director do?