The results of the February 2011 CMO Survey are in and the news is unequivocally positive. 421 top marketers shared their views to create the following portrait of healthy economy-wide, firm, and job effects.

1. Improved optimism about the overall U.S. economy. Respondents rated the U.S. economy at 63 on a scale of 0-100, up from a rating of 56 in August 2010. Nearly 69 percent of CMOs reported they were more optimistic about the U.S. economy, compared to 26 percent the previous quarter. In contrast, less optimistic CMOs fell to 6 percent, down from 35 percent the previous quarter. My own view is that because marketers have the most direct contact with customers and the best perspective of their future plans, these results are especially credible and bode well for economic recovery.