October 30, 2009

"North West marketers poorly paid," reads the headline on a press release that is presumably meant to make me weep for the lowly, but in fact makes me want to bite trees.

"The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s latest marketing salary survey, conducted by Croner Reward, reveals that pay for marketers in the North West is well below the national average. The survey found that the average basic pay for all marketers in the North West is £30,000 per annum – 5.1% below the national average.

"Basic pay for marketing managers stands at £42,000 on average, 2.3% below the national average, and less than those performing the same role in London, who can expect to earn £44,000.

"However, at the most senior levels pay remains competitive. A head of marketing in the North West earns a basic salary of £58,334, whilst a marketing director earns £76,750 – both slightly above the national average for these roles.

"Across the UK as a whole, the survey revealed that average pay for marketers increased by 3.3% over the past year, and is forecast to rise by 3% in the year ahead.

"The survey also highlighted the importance of professional qualifications and membership. Both senior and junior marketing managers who are members of The Chartered Institute of Marketing are paid more than non-members at these levels – between 2% and 12% more.

"David Thorp, director of research and professional development at The Chartered Institute of Marketing, said: 'Marketers in the North West had better ensure they reach senior positions quickly if they want to achieve the pay levels seen elsewhere in the UK. One way of doing so is to become professionally qualified, which as the survey indicates, results in higher salaries. In what promises to be a continuing challenging business environment over the next few years, employing qualified marketing professionals, who will undoubtedly help their organisations thrive and survive, will prove to be money very well invested.'"

Pass the mallet, vicar. I have to go out for a while.