As you know, I work in an IT company, but it is really interesting, because the people who are the most effective in management and sales, have more than a basic understanding of the backend of the product too - they don't know it all, but they have a good working understanding and are able to leverage it in conversation. The least effective are those who are all marketing, no product.
The job climate is rapidly changing and whether it is better or worse, will depend on each of us.