• by Wayne Friedman , October 2, 2009

Over half of advertising and marketing executives said they had no plans to hire more staff in the next year.

According to a study of 250 ad executives covering 4,000 advertising agencies and companies, The Creative Group says 55% of those executives said there will be no change in their staffing levels over the next 12 months.

However, some 34% say they intend to hire more employees in 2010, with 10% saying they will be looking to cut staffing levels.

Of those who are considering making hires, 52% of executives cited Web design and production positions as being high on their lists. After this, 50% of executives pointed to hiring creative/art direction staffing.

Interactive and account services jobs were each at 48%. Brand/product management was at a 35% level, and marketing research was at 32%. Less in-demand positions include copywriting, 26%; print design/production, 25%; public relations, 23%; and media services, 10%.

Said Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group, in a release: "Many firms are particularly interested in expanding their digital presence. This is an area in which a number of companies continued to invest, even in the downturn. And as the economy improves, they will want to build their capabilities further."