Editor's comment: Power amid the turbulence

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Established Power 100 members have had their budgets and departments cut, been subjected to people being brought in over their heads and, in some cases, have even lost their jobs. This means an awful lot of upheaval. Some people have fallen dramatically down the rankings, while others have sprung up the list.

There are 38 new entries this year, which means an unprecedented number of individuals have lost their places. We have included a section detailing what has happened to some of those missing from the list this year. 

While a number of marketers who failed to grasp the changing economic climate have paid with their jobs, others have blossomed. In recognition of this, many of our highest new entries on the list oversee brands that have hit the mark with consumers in these trying times. These include Reckitt Benckiser's marketing chief, Phil Thomas; Aldi's managing director, Paul Foley; and Birds Eye's marketing director, Ben Pearman.

Marketing's Power 100 is always contentious; not everyone will agree with the order in which we place people. However, each entry is given the most careful consideration. Power means many things, but to us, in relation to marketing it is held by those who control big budgets and a famous brand, and have industry fame and influence.

We also take the advice of an anonymous and eclectic group of experts who give our team extra insight, guiding us with inside knowledge that cuts through the gloss. We thank them all.