Hello!
I've started this game a few weeks ago and start to get the hang of things. I've just completed my second full year and checked the finances.
I had an operating revenue of 1 709 157 122 USD with -1 415 146 593 USD in operating expenses. Of the expenses I can see that I spent ~200 million in marketing during the year.
My company image hovers around the 70 mark and starting to fade so I probably need to spend even more to keep it up.
How important is CI and how much of my operating budget should be spent on marketing? (current number is 8.4% which is as much as my net profit)
Between 5% and 10% of your expenses.