How to become An Advertising Manager

• Promotions Manager
• Marketing and Promotions Manager
• Advertising Account Executive
• Advertising Account Manager
• Advertising Agency Manager
• Advertising Campaign Manager
• Account Handler

What do Advertising Managers do?

An Advertising Manager would typically need to:

• Create interest among potential buyers of a product or service for a department, for an entire organization, or on a project/account basis
• Liaise with clients to discuss and identify their advertising requirements; educate them on the latest products and beta testing
• Provide marketing and technical insights into developing a strategy called an advertising campaign to reach potential customers
• Lead brainstorm sessions with agency colleagues to devise an advertising campaign that meets the client's brief and budget
• Initiate market research studies and analyze their findings; determine how to best reach the target audience - through advertisements on TV & radio, in newspapers & magazines, on the web, or even on the sides of city buses
• Work with the account manager to brief or lead media, creative, and research staff in developing the advertising materials; ensure that communication flows effectively
• Inspect layouts - sketches/plans for an advertisement; present alongside agency colleagues, particularly the account manager, the campaign ideas and budget to the client
• Negotiate with clients and agency staff about the details of the campaign; test their ideas with focus groups before the launch
• Manage the budget, timeline, and quality of the project to ensure that they meet the requirements of the project; write client reports; monitor the effectiveness of campaigns
• Direct the hiring of advertising, promotions, and marketing staff; oversee their daily activities; undertake administrative tasks; arrange and attend meetings
• Make pitches, along with other agency staff, to secure new business for the agency; develop pricing strategies for products or services marketed to the target customers of a firm
• Work with the Business Development Director to create compelling sales strategies; generate advertising revenues in online and publishing formats

Since the work of Advertising Managers directly affects a firm’s revenue, you typically work with top executives. You will also work with sales agents and financial staff members to develop and execute advertising campaigns.

Although you will generally be office-based, travel within the working day is common, as you may need to meet with clients or representatives of communications media. You may also need to attend TV shoots, radio recordings, or castings. Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel is occasionally required.

The work environment is generally informal, although a smart dress code is often the norm. The role can involve socializing with clients.

Most Advertising Managers work full time. A typical week will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. However, you may have to start the day early or stay late to meet deadlines. Weekend work is rare.

Although career breaks or part-time work are not common, job-sharing is sometimes possible, and some of the larger agencies offer paid sabbaticals after a qualifying period of service.

Advertising Managers work in advertising agencies that put together campaigns for clients, media firms that sell advertising space or time, or in the advertising department of a business in almost any industry, from manufacturing to scientific innovation, finance to insurance. You will find the majority of opportunities in the larger advertising agencies. Agencies may form part of a larger group or may operate as independent companies.

Advertising Managers are generally employed by:

• Advertising Agencies
• Media Firms
• The Advertising Department in an Organization

Professional associations and organizations are vital for Advertising Managers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• A stressful and highly pressurized role, involving multiple accounts, tight deadlines, and long hours
• A high probability of being held solely accountable for the failure of an advertising campaign
• The strong possibility that advertising is one of the first things to get cut from a company’s budget during an economic downturn
• Redundancy and constant pressure to win new business standard features

Pre-entry work experience is an excellent way to understand how an agency works and make valuable contacts, which may come in handy when looking for a permanent role as an Advertising Manager. You can gain relevant experience through vacation work, placements, or job shadowing. Some larger agencies offer formal work experience/internship programs, often in the form of summer schools.

As the advertising field is highly competitive, work experience may sometimes prove difficult to secure, but any other work experience in a commercial context may be helpful. Advertising Managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales. Many managers are former sales representatives, purchasing agents, buyers, product, advertising, promotions, or public relations specialists. Most promising Advertising Managers have two to four years of work-related experience and three to six months of on-the-job or vocational training.

Build up your resume with credentials and experience in advertising. Both sales team members and creative team members have opportunities to rise through the ranks and become Advertising Managers.

Most Advertising Manager positions require a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, English, journalism, communication, or business administration. A relevant course of study might include classes in marketing, consumer behavior, market research, sales, communication methods & technology, visual arts, art history, and photography.

Courses in business law, management, economics, accounting, finance, mathematics, and statistics are advantageous. Students may have opportunities to focus on a specific aspect of the field, such as creative design.

Entry without a degree may be possible with enough relevant work experience; some Advertising Managers hold associate degrees, but graduates are generally preferred, especially in larger agencies.

As an Advertising Manager, you may also need to know how to use enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, document management software, video creation & editing software, development environment software, web page creation, and editing software tools.

Although relatively few Advertising Managers are certified, certification through professional organizations may serve as an additional asset for applicants to distinguish themselves in a challenging job market. Development seminars offered by the organizations may also provide an advantage to job seekers.

It is usual to enter this career as an Advertising Manager and then progress to the position of an Account Manager who manages executives and handles high-profile clients. Most account managers spend at least three or four years at this level before having enough experience to seek promotion as Account Director, taking responsibility for all account staff and clients. The coveted post is that of Group Account Director.

How quickly and far you progress in your career will depend on the level of experience you gain and the success of your campaigns. Working on an award-winning campaign, for example, will give you a higher profile and industry recognition, and your career progression will be much more rapid.

It is a role with a vast array of options. Advertising Managers have the opportunity to work in different sectors or with a dedicated marketing agency. If you have enough experience in the field, you can break away and set up your own consultancy. Career advancement opportunities are plentiful, and you could work abroad if you choose. Moving between agencies and working for several different clients can help you progress more quickly, so mobility and flexibility are important in building your career.

Job candidates with online, mobile, and social media advertising experience will stand out to potential employers.

The training you receive will depend on the agency you work for, but most training is carried out on the job. Some of the larger agencies may have structured training schemes in place. You may be encouraged to study towards a qualification, and your employer may offer financial support, provide study leave, or both.

Continue your education in digital advertising and identify new strategies and tactics to maximize brand visibility. You may also need to undertake external training, covering the entire brand communications process in the form of short courses and seminars.

An understanding of digital, social media platforms and mobile marketing is helpful to this role. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages helps you compete in an industry spurred by an increasingly global economy and the need to advertise to expanding cultural markets.

More Than One Way to Quality Advertising In larger organizations with an extensive advertising department, different Advertising Managers may oversee in-house accounts along with creative and media services departments. Sometimes, they outsource the development of advertising campaigns and manage the work done by third-party companies. At other times, they work for large advertising agencies who complete all work in-house. Then, they may oversee a large team of people. Either way, they would also review the advertising agency’s work to ensure that quality standards are met. International in Scope Large advertising agencies are becoming increasingly international in scope. Many are part of a more extensive media and communications group, whose parent company may be based in Europe or North America. Coveted Characteristics Competition for the posts of Advertising Manager will continue to be robust. The most sought-after job candidates are inherently creative thinkers who can analyze data to identify trends and determine client strategies. Advertising Managers have exceptional leadership abilities and have climbed the corporate ladder to earn their positions. Area of Expertise Some Advertising Managers specialize in a particular field of advertising. Media directors determine how an advertising campaign reaches customers. Account Executives manage clients' accounts but are not responsible for creating or presenting the advertising. That task becomes the work of the creative services department. Diverse Work Spaces Typically, a larger employer will have between 50 and 80 employees, although some agencies have more than 300. Smaller companies can range in size from five to 15 people. Many of the larger agencies offer a multidisciplinary service to clients, such as marketing and advertising, as many clients will be looking for a full 'communications' package. Gateways A speculative, targeted application using a focused, attention-grabbing CV, and cover letter can be an effective approach to getting plum posts. Try to learn as much as possible about advertising, the role of Advertising Managers, and the organization you wish to work for before applying directly.

It is helpful to read job adverts in the trade press to help you get a feel for the combination of skills and industry knowledge that the position needs. Consider related posts for work experience, e.g., in sales, marketing, or public relations, as employers often find the skills and experience gained in related roles transferable to advertising.

Networking may help you secure a marketing position. Your university careers service may host events that allow you to gain contacts and meet industry representatives. Social networking sites offer an increasingly effective way to network with advertising professionals.

Larger agencies, which have graduate training schemes, invite applications through their websites. These are usually made early in the autumn term of your final year. Smaller and specialist agencies recruit as vacancies arise, often using specialized websites or recruitment consultancies.

Most watches in advertisements are set to 10:10 to frame their brand name and make a smiling face.

Life as an Advertising Manager can be quite dynamic - you face diverse tasks every day, and each customer is unique - you learn all the time. The position offers highly coveted perks, but everything comes with a price tag. There is never enough time in the advertising world. If you are willing to take on the challenges of today’s technology-driven, fast-paced world, you will have a job uniquely positioned to influence public perception.

The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.