Small and medium-sized businesses are continuing to use marketing despite the economic downturn, according to research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

The data shows that while only 3% of bosses in the UK’s largest companies said they would hire additional advertising professionals during a slump, 15% of small company bosses claimed they would pursue this course of action.

“It is an important tool for marketers and business leaders alike, to understand the business links between marketing and economic growth,” said Rod Wilkes, chief executive of the CIM.