Dive Brief: 

• Last week, Unilever announced it would cut 800 marketing positions worldwide, a move analysts say is part of a wider trend in downsizing. 
• Other companies that have made sizable cuts to their marketing departments in the last year include Proctor & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive Co., Energizer Holdings and Johnson & Johnson. 
• Analysts predict Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to make cuts in the near future as well. 

Dive Insight:

The cause of these big cuts is multifaceted, but can be attributed mostly to overall tighter budgets and consolidation of global rosters. Companies are looking to please shareholders and increase profit and feel that cutting marketers is a viable solution. The problem with this trend is that marketers play a key role in the sales process, so it could end up hurting companies that make drastic cuts in the long run.