Positive outlook for chief marketers globally

The compensation insights - which look at salary, bonus, commissions, options, equity, and other perks and privileges - are based on the CMO Council's sixth annual "State of Marketing" audit. A comprehensive 55-page report of this quantitative online research contains a detailed and diligent assessment of marketing planning, budget allocation, organisational development, and group operational effectiveness worldwide.

Reflecting a more competitive market, more than 50% of marketers increased 2012 budgets in contrast to 22% who have seen budget reductions; some 24% had no change in spend over 2011. Hiring new talent is anticipated by nearly 50% of marketers, while 19% expect to shed staff. Nearly 60% expect to make an agency change, with social marketing, web design, and PR firms topping the list of those to be cut; lack of innovation and value-added thinking is the primary reason for a switch.

The multi-regional benchmark report serves as a valuable resource and reference tool for the CMO Council's 6,000-plus members worldwide. These members control more than US$300bn in annual aggregated marketing spend. It is the most rigorous and comprehensive report of its kind in the marketing sector. Survey findings provide peer-level input and consensus on critical strategic marketing issues and priorities, as well as insights into actions and intentions in the year ahead.

This 2012 report gained input from more than 550 heads of marketing, communications, and customer engagement in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Nearly 65% of these marketers report to the president, chief executive officer or chief operating officer, and a further 15% report to regional and business division chiefs. More than 30% of respondents represent companies with more than US$1bn in annual sales; 11% have between US$500m and US$1bn in sales; and another 30% come from companies with revenues between US$50m and US$500m. Nearly 60% of respondents globally held executive officer titles, with the balance at the director level.

Key findings surrounding job outlook, compensation, professional development, challenges, and strategic priorities include:
• Only 11% of chief marketers believe their job is at risk; however, 38% believe they are not fairly compensated compared to 39% who are satisfied with their current compensation.
• The majority of chief marketers (77%) globally earn a base salary of US$100,000 to US$349,000, and 42% anticipate a bonus, with another possible 31% based on performance; many also enjoy perks, privileges, expense accounts, equity, and stock options in their compensation packages.
• CMOs believe furthering personal leadership and motivational skills is the best way to advance their careers; on the other hand, increasing collaboration with sales and/or channel organisations is their top professional priority in the coming months.
• Many find organisational cultures frustrating and undermining marketing success; but insufficient budget is the biggest source of aggravation.
• Top-line revenue growth and market share gains remain senior management's top mandates for marketing; an overwhelming 82% of marketers believe this is an attainable goal in the current global economy.

Topics explored in the 45-point "State of Marketing" audit included:
• Top marketing group accomplishments in the preceding year
• Senior management mandates and requirements for marketing
• Areas of CMO responsibility and budget control
• Size of marketing budgets and outlook for marketing spend
• Allocations of marketing budgets across both operational and functional areas
• Headcount changes and talent sourcing and management priorities
• Digital marketing progress, direction, and metrics for measuring ROI
• Agency performance evaluation and change intentions
• Professional and personal development priorities for CMOs
• Compensation from both a base salary and incentive standpoint
• Variations and insights into regional market challenges, complexities, and dynamics
• Factors influencing regional marketing strategies and mix allocations
• Emerging market growth potential and prioritisation criteria
• Approaches to maximising marketing value and effectiveness
• Procurement of marketing automation solutions and benefits being realised
• Organisational and operational changes and transformation projects

A complimentary executive summary of the report can be sourced online, while the full report can be purchased for US$199. For CMO Council members who are premium content subscribers (US$495 annually), the full report is available at no cost. To download the complimentary executive summary or to purchase the full report with expanded executive summary, charts, graphs and detailed breakdowns of findings, please visit: www.cmocouncil.org/r/state-of-marketing-2012