• Brandweek, Monday, December 10, 2007 11:45 AM

Chief Marketing Officers are more prepared than ever to move up the corporate ladder because they are required to oversee or respond to much broader business strategies in the course of their marketing work, according to "The Evolved CMO," a joint study by Forrester Research's CMO Group and executive recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles. In fact, 34% of CMOs aspire to become CEOs.

The study, being released this week, was conducted online this fall among 132 CMOs who oversee marketing strategy at companies with more than $100 million in annual revenues.

When asked to identify the top skills they need to be successful in their jobs, "visioning and strategic thinking" was top-of-mind. Then came an emphasis on developing their own marketing team, building relationships with other executives and "business acumen." "Energy and inspiration," typically the hallmarks of the marketing spot, came in fifth; "guiding creative development" was No. 13.

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