Many marketers plan to spend more

Many marketers will be spending more, not less, during these budget-draining economic times, according to a recent survey.

The poll of 650 senior marketers, conducted by the Chief Marketing Officer Council, found that they have upgraded services, lowered prices and improved training rather than making cuts across the board.

Marketers are using the uncertain economy as an excuse to closely monitor sales trends and develop strategies, said Liz Miller, vice president of programs and operations for the council. The shift in focus will mean better services and prices for consumers, she said.

“;Marketers are allocating their budgets in a smarter way and getting more involved in the company's planning,”; Miller said. “;We're really walking away from the era of guys in the back spending money and dealing with window dressings.”;

The average tenure for a chief marketing officer has been between 18 and 24 months, but 57 percent of those surveyed said they did not feel that their jobs were on the line. That's because their authority has expanded and they've become part of the company's growth and recovery, Miller said.

“;It's the guys who are still engaged in tactical brand execution or revamping brands, changing colors or other traditional marketing approaches who said they felt their job was in jeopardy,”; she said. “;The key is to be a business driver and stop being ad-centric and sales-centric.”;

Chief execs like Texas for business

There are more business opportunities than you can shake a stick at in Texas, according to Chief Executive magazine's ranking of best and worst states for job growth.

The Lone Star State came in first, while the magazine said California is the worst state in which to conduct business.

The survey asked 543 chief executive officers to evaluate their states on issues including proximity to resources, regulation, tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure.

Chief Executive magazine said Texas is strategically centered and has low taxes. It was followed in the top ranks by North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, respectively.

JP Donlon, the magazine's editor, said the worst states “;alienate businesses”; by being highly regulated and having high taxes and a strongly unionized labor force.

Quality of life, cost of living and climate advantages were also taken into consideration.

The same states have taken the bottom five spots over the past few years—New York coming in second-worst, followed by Michigan, New Jersey and Massachusetts.