Marketing budgets under heavy scrutiny, WFA and Ebiquity research

A new WFA study conducted together with Ebiquity (specialised media investment analysis) assessed the intentions of 43 multinational companies. The sample included 5 of the world’s top 10 advertisers by spend, which collectively invest more than US$ 44bn in advertising.

Just under a third (29%) of those surveyed plan to decrease spend in 2023, with the same proportion claiming they will invest more next year. 4 in 10 say they will maintain their budgets at 2022 levels. Three quarters of the sample “agree strongly” or “agree” that 2023 budgets are under heavy scrutiny, with marketers required to justify investment.

Regional differences

There is more evidence of a potential cut in spend in EMEA compared with APAC. In EMEA, for example, a third of respondents agree there could be a significant (more than 10%) or slight decrease (0-10%) next year, compared to 30% who are planning a slight increase in spend. By contrast, in Asia Pacific just 15% envisage a slight decrease while 35% plan a slight increase.

Shift to short-termism

The big change in behaviour seen in the research is a different emphasis in the way that money will be allocated next year, with greater emphasis on short-term, performance marketing. 28% of respondents say they will seek to boost performance, compared to 21% who are focused on increased brand spend in 2023.

The big winner will be digital, with 42% saying they will increase spend either slightly or significantly, with offline media such as TV, radio, print, and outdoor likely to suffer. Nearly half of respondents are planning to cut offline investment and a quarter are looking to make a significant cut (of more than 10%) in print spend.

Increasing flexibility

The other major change is the move towards more flexibility in investment. This means greater use of biddable/auction-based platforms, a long-term change in the way media is bought particularly on digital channels. This approach also allows brands to hold back funds, should the economic conditions dictate. Fewer than 1 in 10 respondents (9%) are planning to increase the proportion of budget allocated to upfront commitments.

“These WFA and Ebiquity survey results show that budgets are under pressure and there are signs of retrenchment into short-term performance channels at the expense of brand building. But it is encouraging to see that a number of clients are planning on standing firm and taking heed of the well-taught lessons from previous recessions, which show time and again that those who continue to invest or increase their ad spending emerge stronger from periods of economic uncertainty,” said Stephan Loerke, WFA CEO.

“As brands are required to achieve more with less in 2023 to optimise the value of their investments, it makes sense to review expenditure and cut ineffective and wasteful spend first,” added Nick Waters, Ebiquity’s Group CEO. “Sustaining investment is one thing, but there is a risk to long-term brand health by over-investing at the bottom of the purchase funnel. It is a natural instinct to want to see immediate results from media investment but the longer-term trade off needs to be weighed carefully. It becomes more expensive to re-build brand credentials once they have slipped.”

To download the report click here.