The past eighteen months have been undeniably difficult for the UK marketing fraternity. Always the first to be shown the door in times of financial difficulties, marketers knew the writing was on the wall the moment the world recognised it was in meltdown.
Within months of it being announced that we were heading for the worse recession since 1991, thousands of intangible creative and communications folk were battling it out for marketing jobs that no longer existed. But that was then. 2010 promises to see a significant upturn for marketing professionals; the unexpected renegades to recession. Though, is it actually that unexpected?
Go digital, get social
Whilst marketers are the first to go, they are also the first to return. New budgets and invigorated optimism pave the way for excitable organisations to ponder that perhaps their previous prognosis of their marketing ROI was a little wayward, wrong even.
For marketers engaged in digital and social media the immediate future is bright. Below-the-line activities are less certain. Graduates should be buoyed by the re-introduction of entry-level schemes, despite the Government’s hesitance.
Comedy socks
It’s not just about next year, however. Smart companies are getting in early, initiating recruitment strategies to capitalise on the festive fare. Q110 promises an upturn in the number of new marketing vacancies. Those scurrying to the January sales with a fist full of dollars may find a lot of the good stock already gone. Sneaking into Santa’s Grotto now will ensure the neatly-wrapped gift under the decorative hiring tree contains more than a pair of comedy socks.
Viva La Revolution
Simon Lewis, www.onlymarketingjobs.com
