Chief marketing officers and chief communications officers are expressing greater confidence in their budgets heading into the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. The latest findings from The Conference Board CMO+CCO Meter highlight a notable improvement in how these leaders view their financial resources for driving business impact.
Quick Intel
The Conference Board CMO+CCO Meter, conducted twice yearly, captures C-suite marketing and communications leaders’ views on their business influence, available resources including budget, team, and tools, as well as their overall job satisfaction. The most recent survey, fielded in February 2026, gathered responses from 67 chief marketing officers and 100 chief communications officers.
Alongside the sharp improvement in budgets, workload has emerged as a growing challenge for both marketing and communications leaders. Satisfaction regarding workload declined compared to June 2025, influenced by factors including AI adoption, rising expectations, and evolving market conditions.
"Alongside the sharp improvement in budgets, the latest CMO+CCO Meter found that workload is a growing challenge for marketing and communications," said Denise Dahlhoff, Head of Research, Marketing & Communications Center, The Conference Board. "Compared to last June, satisfaction regarding workload fell 6 points among CMOs to 51% and a whopping 20 points among CCOs to just 34%—with AI, expectations, and market conditions all playing a role. That said, around 4 in 5 leaders across both fields remain happy or very happy in their work."
Overall, the perceived business impact of communications functions slipped during the second half of 2025 and into early 2026, possibly due to a calmer external environment. In contrast, marketing’s perceived impact showed positive movement in the latest survey.
"Overall, the business impact of communications slipped in the second half of 2025 and start of 2026, likely reflecting a calmer external environment," said Ivan Pollard, Leader, Marketing & Communications Center, The Conference Board. "When asked to assess the perspective of their CEO, 54% of CCOs said that communications' perceived impact on the business grew over the last six months—down 14 points from a recent peak of 69% in March 2025. Meanwhile, marketing's perceived business impact rose in the latest survey, with almost 7 out of 10 CMOs believing their CEO has seen the marketing team's impact increase or increase significantly in the last six months."
Chief Marketing Officers
CMOs reported a generally positive shift in their assessment of marketing’s business impact in the February 2026 survey. A strong majority indicated their teams continue to deliver growing influence, though perceptions around CEO views improved markedly.
74% of CMOs said their team’s impact on the business grew over the past six months, a slight dip from 77% in June 2025. Meanwhile, 67% of CMOs believe their CEO views the marketing team’s impact as having grown, a sharp increase from 55% in the prior survey.
On the resources front, CMOs showed mixed confidence. Budget optimism rose notably, with 50% feeling well-equipped, up from 40% in June 2025. Tool confidence remained relatively stable at 50%, while team readiness dropped significantly to 42% from 52%.
Job satisfaction among CMOs stayed high overall, though concerns around workload and recognition increased. 79% rated their general satisfaction as happy or very happy. Satisfaction with recognition fell to 57% and workload satisfaction declined to 51%.
Chief Communications Officers
CCOs experienced a decline in perceived impact metrics in the latest CMO+CCO Meter. While a majority still reported growth in their team’s business influence, the figures softened compared to previous readings, and CEO perceptions weakened more noticeably.
65% of CCOs said their team’s impact on the business grew over the past six months, down from 69% in June 2025. Only 54% indicated their CEO sees communications impact as having grown, down sharply from 65%.
Resource confidence among CCOs improved modestly in some areas but remained relatively low. 33% felt well-equipped by budgets, up from 23%. Tool preparedness rose to 38% from 33%, while team readiness slipped to 35% from 40%.
Job satisfaction for CCOs retreated from prior highs, with workload emerging as a significant concern. 70% rated their general satisfaction as happy or very happy, down from 79%. Recognition satisfaction improved slightly to 61%, but workload satisfaction fell sharply to 34%.
The latest survey results have informed several reports from The Conference Board, including topics on AI’s role in reputation building, marketing’s continued business contributions, rising optimism around tools and talent, and ongoing challenges in unlocking AI-driven satisfaction for marketing teams.
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States.
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