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Research Shows Internet Executives Climbing Corporate Ladder

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of the 2009 Corporate Internet Executive Research Study were released this week by the Internet Strategy Forum (ISF). The survey was developed by the Internet Strategy Forum (ISF), a professional association for corporate Internet executives, in conjunction with Riley Research Associates. WelchmanPierpoint, a Web operations management consulting company, underwrote the research study.

The research indicates that the in-house Internet strategy position plays a critical role in communicating, branding and monetizing the Web for organizations, and also indicates that Internet Strategists are moving up the corporate ladder to positions of higher responsibility and increased salary:

    --  Majority of respondents earn more than $95,000, annually. Salaries have
        increased from 2005, when the majority earned $50,000 - $95,000.
    --  Respondents have sought higher education since 2005, with an increasing
        number holding a degree beyond their bachelors.
    --  More than 60% of the Internet jobs are within 2 levels of the CEO or
        Division leader.

The 37-question survey focused solely on the practitioners responsible for driving strategy and implementation for their company's Internet presence. Over 250 respondents, some of whom manage the most well-known public Web sites, provide singular insight into the unique challenges of their profession.

A majority of respondents report their job requires a huge array of skills and expertise, from managing staff, finances and contracts, to Web production, e-commerce, social networking platforms and network administration. Frequently, their roles have been adapted from previous IT or marketing positions, but have never received the compensation or legitimacy their positions deserve.

Steve Gehlen, Founder & Executive Director of the ISF, draws the following conclusion: "This new body of specialized knowledge and skills is a strong argument for a new professional classification and position in the organization structure that is separate but equal to traditional marketing and IT. By developing a new independent Internet function, companies will create the opportunity to unleash the true transformative potential of the Internet across the entire organization rather than trying to force it to serve pre-existing structures."

Lisa Welchman, Founding Partner of WelchmanPierpoint, the sponsor of the survey, says: "Fifteen years into mainstream Web adoption, we're finding that the once highly specialized 'Webmaster' is emerging out of the corporate Web cocoon and into the business mainstream. Organizations need to mentor and support these unique and highly skilled resources. Given the Internet Strategists Web expertise, increasing knowledge of traditional business practices, and the trending of business communications and operational practices to the Web, we predict more 21st century CEOs will emerge from the Internet and Web ranks."

Welchman and Gehlen will discuss the research findings and implications for Internet professionals and organizational Web operations management at the Internet Strategy Forum's annual Summit conference on July 23 and 24 inPortland, OR. For more information, visit www.internetstrategyforum.org .

To purchase the complete 70 page report for $299, visit http://www.internetstrategyforum.org/research .

WelchmanPierpoint (www.welchmanpierpoint.com) is a Web Operations Management (WOM) consulting company that provides a systematic, strategy-driven approach for operating Web sites and Web organizations. Contact: info@welchmanpierpoint.com, +1 410 377 3012

The Internet Strategy Forum () is a non-profit professional association dedicated to professional development, peer networking, information exchange, research and thought leadership among senior Internet decision-makers at client-side organizations across multiple industries around the world. Contact: info@internetstrategyforum.org , +1 971-223-3838.

SOURCE WelchmanPierpoint