www.the-works.co.uk

The Works Search and Selection surveyed 1075 PR Professionals in the communications industry from December 2012 to January 2013.

The aim of the survey was twofold, to get a clear picture of salaries and bonuses being paid in PR agencies and in-house corporate communications teams.

Secondly to gauge the level of satisfaction of PR and corporate communications professionals in their current role and company. We looked at the issues facing employees and the challenges facing employers. We will feature these results separately in a series of blogs and in our newsletters so make sure you have signed up www.the-works.co.uk/news-blogs/newsletter.

We looked at the PR disciplines we specialise in – Corporate Communications, Financial PR, Technology PR as well as Consumer PR. We recruit at board level downwards and the data has come mainly from our clients and candidates, a true blend of in-house corporate communications teams (private sector) and consultancies in London and the Home Counties.

Findings from PR employees -

Salaries have increased in the communications industry and bonuses are back

• 41% of employees received a salary increase by January 2013• Half of the participated PR employees received bonus – 49% of these

employees got 1% - 10% bonus while 51% of them got 11% - 50% bonus • Most (70%) agency employers increased salaries of the majority of their

PR Consultants• Average agency bonus across all levels is 18%

Agencies and in-house teams grew last year

• More than half (54%) of the employers hired 1-4 PR professionals for their team

• 22% hired 5-9 people • 13% hired 10+ people• Only 9% of employers did not make any hires • 3% reduced headcount

Head of Comms

PR Director Head of Media Senior PR Manager

PR Manager Senior Press Officer

Press Officer0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 19%

Bonus 19%

Bonus 14%

Bonus 12%Bonus 10%

Bonus 4%Bonus 4%

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 10-20%

Bonus 10-25%

Bonus 10-20% Bonus 10-

12%

Head of Comms PR Director Head of Media Senior PR Manager

PR Manager Press Officer0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 10-30%

Bonus 19%

Bonus 22%

Bonus 29%

Bonus 20%

Bonus 25%

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 50%

Bonus 25-50%

Bonus 15-50%

Bonus 15-17%

Bonus 20-80% Bonus 12-

33%

Head of PR PR Director PR Manager Press Officer0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

100000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

100000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 5%

Bonus 9%

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Bonus 10-18%

Bonus 10-25%

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000 RANGE

RANGE

MEDIAN

Salary results – comments from Sarah Leembruggen (Managing Partner)

Last year we heard a lot about under-resourcing, not being able to hire fast enough and the difficulty of keeping up morale and motivation levels. Whilst these issues haven’t disappeared, this year, the tone is different and although business is still tough, it’s definitely healthier. We have seen a fourfold increase in new roles coming on to the market, for the first half of this year compared to the first half of last year. The increase is mainly with corporate agencies and corporate comms in-house teams (across industry sectors). I have written more about this in my view of the market in our new look September newsletter but it’s great to see how reputation management is clearly becoming more important.

I think the salary results speak for themselves although I would like to say that in-house isn’t always the answer. The majority of people we meet (90%) will ask exclusively for an in-house role. Some will consider a consultancy, but there is clearly a strong desire to move in-house. I bring this up as one of the motivations is salary; although, as you can see from the survey, agencies pay pretty well and despite a tough year, 70% of agencies increased their employees’ salaries. There is no denying that some in-house roles - especially in the financial services - are paid well; however, agencies are more competitive with their salaries and the bonus can be better than in-house. Ok, enough said. I hope you find the results useful.