mad.co.ukís Salary and Benefits Survey ñ Autumn 2006

The largest salary survey of its kind - completed by more than 2,250 professionals working in marketing, advertising and design - revealed that while the outlook for the creative industries continues to be positive, sadly gender and regional differences dominate.

Research released this week reveals a vibrant creative sector. Over 50 per cent (53.1 per cent) of respondents received an annual pay increase of between 0 and 4.9 per cent. Even more impressively, 19 per cent received a rise of between 5 and 11 per cent. Expectations are equally high for the year ahead, with 55.8 per cent expecting a pay rise of between 0 and 4.9 per cent and 24.7 per cent expecting rises of between 5 and 11 per cent.

Sadly the survey found some large differences in pay packets for men and women. At the top end of the scale for example male managing directors can expect to take home 71,875 on average. The figure for their female counterparts was a disappointing 62,650. A similar pattern emerged across most disciplines and salary levels. A female account director will earn 41,304 while a male will earn 47,103; a female brand/product manager can expect just 33,950 in comparison to a maleís 41,182; a female marketing director will take home 56,405 in comparison to a male who earns 64,151; and a male creative director takes home a massive 51,802 in comparison to the 35,884 commanded by a female.

Branwell Johnson, acting editor of mad.co.uk, expressed surprise at the findings: ìThese findings are interesting because they show that while the marketing and creative sectors may pay lip service to equality in the workplace, it is still not reflected in the pay packets taken home by men and women. For an industry that is meant to be forward-thinking and is engaging with rapid changes in the media landscape, the pay differential between the sexes seems stuck in the last century.

Regional differences are also prevalent. Londoners can expect to earn considerably more than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. This difference is most pronounced in the events industry with the average London salary equalling 33,733 ñ 24 per cent higher than employees in the sector in the rest of the UK.

With salaries rising and a strong job market, the future looks bright for the creative industries. Of course, Londoners should expect a higher wage given the higher living costs in the capital. However, if the industry is to grow, expansion must be encouraged throughout the UK.

More pressing however, is the continuing discrepancy between male and female salaries at almost every level and in all sectors. The creative industries pride themselves on their inclusive, forward-thinking approach. The fact that a man can still command a much higher salary than a similarly qualified woman in such an industry should be a source of great embarrassment for all concerned.

For more information about the Salary and Benefits Survey, contact Leonora Babi - leonora.babi@mad.co.uk