Aquent Salary Monitor reveals levels in Asia Pacific

Aquent, the advertising and marketing staff specialists, have just released their Asia Pacific Salary Monitor. This is vital reading for CEO’s of ad agencies and interesting information for those of you thinking of changing jobs.

Aquent surveyed Australia , New Zealand , China , Korea , Japan and Singapore and the study was completed in July 2004. It covers salaries in Creative, Marketing, Advertising, Media, Public Relations, New Media and Marcomm Support and breaks them down into job categories. It really gives one an extensive overview of salaries in the industry.

The only niggle is that the figures are quoted in the currency of each country so it’s harder to compare.

The story from around the region is “Up, up, up.”

Revenues are expected to grow by more than 65% in all markets and some countries like New Zealand predict growth into the 90% range.

Singapore is the least optimistic, and even here the firms reckon they will achieve a 60+ % increase in revenue.

As almost everyone shed staff in the bad years, many are experiencing staff shortages as the business reinflates. According to the survey, most companies expect to add staff and pay more in the coming year. 80% of firms in Singapore expected to use freelance/contract help to get them through the growing business demands.

At the launch held at the River Boathouse opposite the Fullerton Hotel, Greg Savage, Regional Director for Aquent, said because of demand, agencies will have to make sure they retain staff. This is something CEOs will have to address or many talented people will run to the next agency.

The good news for staff is that there are more jobs out there and salaries should rise. More than 60% of firms in Singapore anticipate a rise in salary costs.

When you look at the figures below, you may be surprised at some of the high figures. However, the figures quoted include total costs to the employer and so CPF and other pension and health benefits are lumped in. Also remember many senior employees have some ’risks’ in the package which cover bonus payments, profit share, stock options and such.

You will see that salaries in Marketing fall short of equivalents in Advertising, as do those pay packets in Media.

The Salary Monitor is produced in a handy soft cover booklet and will be useful to HR Mangers and staff. It is a good guide to what is a fair amount to pay. Obviously, the very talented will be at the top end and the rest of us have to be honest and pitch ourselves below this.