CMOs across industries optimistic about economy, look to new markets for growth.

• Position: Dicta - Chief marketing officers - Brief article

U.S. chief marketing officers in a variety of industries across the United States are increasingly optimistic about the economy and their customers' purchasing activities, according to a survey conducted by Prof. Christine Moorman of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business in conjunction with the American Marketing Association. However, marketers are looking to Russia and Eastern Europe for future growth and predict "significant decreases" in opportunities in Canada, Mexico and Western Europe, according to a press release.

Overall, 59 percent of marketers are more optimistic about the U.S. economy than they were just one quarter ago, the survey found. CMOs also are more confident about revenue growth--nearly half said they were more optimistic about prospects for revenue from end customers and 39 percent were more optimistic about revenue from channel partners (who resell products to end customers) than they were this spring.

Respondents believe that customer activity will pick up in the next year-48...