WASHINGTON, February 2 /PRNewswire/ --

Results of the 2009 Corporate Internet Executive Research Study were
recently released 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 US$95,000, annually. Salaries
      have increased from 2005, when the majority earned US$50,000 - 
      US$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 in
Portland, OR. For more information, visit www.internetstrategyforum.org .

To purchase the complete 70 page report for US$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 (www.internetstrategyforum.org) 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.