Marketing staff have weathered the economic storm with a quarter continuing to receive bonus pay, new research reveals.

The average pay rise for marketing staff was 3.3% over the last year but while 5% endured a pay freeze 25% received a bonus equivalent to 8% of their salary.

According to the Marketing R£wards survey by Croner Reward, gender pay gaps in the industry are also narrowing compared with 2008. The pay gap between male and female marketing directors currently stands at 7.3% down from 18% in 2008 and 10% in 2007.

And marketers in the manufacturing sector are better off than their counterparts in other industries.

A marketing director in the manufacturing sector would enjoy an annual salary of £59,886, compared with a private-sector average of £55,000, £56,880 in the public sector and £54,900 in the voluntary sector.