First Results from European Communication Monitor

On the last afternoon of the European Communication Summit, Prof. Dr Ansgar Zerfass presented some of the initial findings from the European Communication Monitor 2009. The Survey is the most comprehensive international survey of the profession in Europe. This year over 1,850 communications professionals participated in the study, from 34 countries, which is an increase of 20% upon last years figures for the number of respondents.

The survey is run by professors from 11 renowned universities within the framework of European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA), together with the European Association of Communication Directors (EACD) and Communication Director Magazine. It will be made available for free to all members of the EACD when it is published, which is expected to be at the end of September 2009. In the meantime, copies of Prof. Dr Zerfass’ presentation at the Summit are available at the bottom of the page.

The findings show that only 73% of respondents feel that they are taken seriously by senior management. On average, professionals working in Northern Europe are more influential, and those working in Southern Europe wield the least influence. The survey also shows that 60% of EACD members earn more than €90,000 annually, whereas only 30% of non-EACD members who replied to the survey earn above that level.