Design Industry report says ‘green shoots’ are evident
Five years after Baroness Vadera made her much-criticised claim that she could see "a few green shoots" of economic recovery, On Pointe marketing has issued a report in which it claims green shoots are once again visible.
The report suggests green shoots of recovery are evident
It says that UK digital and design agencies may be emerging from the economic difficulties of recent years, adding that pay increases are outstripping inflation and a quarter of respondents have received a bonus in the last year.
The Design Industry Voices report by Fairley & Associates, Gabriele Skelton and On Pointe Marketing says that 42% of UK digital and design agency staff have received a pay rise in the last twelve months.
More than 10% of respondents report pay rises of more than 10%, it says.
“This is the first evidence we have that the industry is in recovery, as despite the pressure from clients to do more for less money, agency leaders are awarding their staff pay rises and bonuses,” said Rachel Fairley, lead author of the research and MD of Fairley & Associates.
Stef Brown, co-author and MD of On Pointe Marketing, said:: “The demand for free creative pitches for prospective clients has not abated and remains an issue. More worrying is the perception among 36% of respondents that they are making more free creative pitches for existing clients.”
Karina Beasley, co-author and MD of Gabriele Skelton, added: “Working your way up is the best way to build a career in the industry, especially if you are in account management or strategy. Agency leaders should note that over 40% of respondents don’t rate their agencies highly for supporting their professional development. It’s become a freelance world over the last five years but there are hints that the pace of change is slowing as fewer people intend to change jobs in the coming year.”
This is the fifth annual Design Industry Voices report.
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