Elo Ellermaa has been appointed as the head of the City Diplomacy and Communication Department of Tallinn, starting this Monday. Her selection came after a public competition that attracted 31 applications. Ellermaa has a diverse background, having previously worked as a journalist and presenter for the Estonian National Broadcasting’s news department, and later in strategic communication roles at Meta Advisory, Elering, and Ignitis in Estonia, where she was responsible for planning communication and marketing, including international cooperation and large project communications.

Tallinn’s city chancellor, Kairi Vaher, emphasized the importance of a strong background in public communication and understanding of international cooperation for leading the newly combined department. This department will officially merge the communication department with the city diplomacy and protocol department starting from February 16, 2026. The restructuring aims to enhance the effectiveness of Tallinn's communication strategies and international outreach, as well as to adapt to the evolving needs of the city in terms of diplomacy and public information dissemination.

This appointment is particularly significant given the growing importance of cities in global diplomacy and communication, especially in regions like the Baltic states, where local governments are increasingly engaged in international relations. With Ellermaa’s extensive experience, the city of Tallinn aims to strengthen its presence and effectiveness on the international stage, while also improving how it communicates with its residents and stakeholders.