Advertising

Advertising Career Overview

It is nearly impossible to spend a day without encountering some form of advertising. Advertising is everywhere, and it is not just limited to the commercials you see on television or the ads you see on a web page. Even if you are out camping in the woods, you are going to encounter advertising—just take a look at the logo on your backpack. That is a branding effort, the result of decisions made by marketers and graphic designers to create a memorable icon for the company that made it.

The advertising field encompasses the creative design and preparation of advertisements as well as their placement. Advertising appears in a variety of different forms: billboards, radio spots, online text ads, and direct mail, to name a few. It also includes related promotional activities, such as running contests, giving away free samples, or sending out press releases. The field attracts diverse types of professionals; individuals with interests in writing, graphic design, interactive media, sales, market research, and other areas can find their place in advertising.

Advertising Training and Education

In some parts of the advertising field, a bachelor's degree is not required—for instance, some design jobs may require only a two-year art school degree. However, since entry into the field is competitive, a bachelor's degree in a subject such as business, marketing, communications, English, or journalism is desirable. For some jobs, such as market research analysis, a master's degree is preferred.

Advertising Salary Outlook

Salaries in advertising vary greatly according to specialty. For example, advertising managers make a median income of $78,250. In advertising sales jobs, the median income is $42,820. The median income for graphic designers in the advertising industry is $41,600.

Characteristics of Successful Advertisers

Individuals who are highly motivated will have the best chance of success in this competitive field. Advertising work also demands business savvy, creativity, and a strong understanding of target markets and consumer psychology. Knowledge of interactive media is also a useful skill. Those in advertising must possess great attention to detail and a total allegiance to meeting deadlines. Obviously, communications skills are crucial, not only for the public speaking and/or creative writing that is part of the job, but also because workers in this field function as part of a team. Communication with fellow employees and with clients is of paramount importance.

Career Fields/Specializations

Account Manager Career

Account managers oversee the "big picture" of client accounts, ensuring that creative staff, market researchers, and media buyers all work as a cohesive team to meet client goals.

Advertising Designer Career

Art directors and graphic designers work to develop visual concepts for an ad campaign, including print ad layout, commercial storyboarding, and web design.

Market Research Career

Market research analysts collect and analyze data that enables an ad agency to conduct campaigns effectively. They may determine which media placements are most effective or why consumers are motivated to purchase a certain product, for example.

Media Buyer Career

Media buyers manage ad placements in print, television, radio and elsewhere. It is their job to negotiate rates and ensure that ads appear as desired. Advertising sales agents work with media buyers on the other side; they manage ad sales on behalf of publications and radio and TV stations.

The field of advertising offers something for everyone; perhaps that is why it is so appealing. Regardless of which specialty within this field a person chooses, there is no doubt that a degree is a desirable starting point.

Article Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor

http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs030.htm
http://stats.bls.gov/OCO/OCOS020.HTM
http://stats.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112011.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes413011.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm