The primary axiom in the business world is that sales make the world go around. The private sector of all economies thrive on this notion. Products rarely have the capacity to “sell themselves,” creating a need for a nudge in the area of top-of-mind-awareness. Building TOMA power has become the responsibility of advertising departments at all companies across the spectrum. This necessity has opened a market for marketers. The positions available in this career field are vast and very often a professionally trained advertising executive can choose from a range of positions with specialized advertising agencies to employment with promotional departments at any particular corporation. This employment latitude makes a career in advertising a very viable option for anyone who is considering this stable career path.
Advertising Account Manager Job Responsibilities
The mission of advertising is always product promotion, but the methods of promotion are normally defined by the particular industry or product that is being promoted. Responsibilities of advertising account managers will adjust accordingly. Advertising account managers serve as internal directors for developing advertising programs. Entry level employment with any agency or company will be commensurate with experience. This provides an opportunity for crucial experience within the daily operations while working as an ad assistant.
Even with post-secondary training, new employees will be involved with advertising development. One of the most prized positions in this career field is working with radio and television stations. These types of positions operate in similar fashion, but this is an example of the employment latitude available in this craft and how advertising systems actually process their sales promotions from product release to the consumer.
These advertising account management positions include a component of sales to the particular media outlet, but the rules of advertising still apply in these specialized areas for advertising account mangers. When working with companies or advertising agencies, media buys are normally part of the process and advertising account managers develop working relationships with the media managers as part of that relationship. Networking of the various stages of advertising allow for individual networking within the career field for upwardly mobile and effective advertising managers.
Advertising Account Managers Training and Education Requirements
There are no specific training or education requirements for anyone interested in this employment area, but any prospective employee will need to show some ability to do the job. Most employers will require a high school diploma. General education is critical and people skills are highly desirable. Suggested post-secondary education for an advertising management career can range from specialized programs at any university offering the curriculum to marketing and mass communication programs offered at most traditional colleges. Clearly, business administration programs also fall within this field.
Advertising account mangers are so critical to any company depending on sales that different types of training is often acceptable. This adds another employment possibility in terms of overall understanding of business functions. Many people have been very successful using business degrees to secure positions in advertising. This provides cross-qualification, as the individual develops experience in the niche of advertising with formal traditional training in the full scope of business operations.
Associate degree programs also parlay well into advertising careers. The individual who is interested in advertising at a moderate level can easily prepare with a two-year degree. In advertising, the actual experience is probably more valuable and desirable for companies who are interested in hiring people who will need minimal training expense.
Advertising Account Managers Salary and Wages
Compensation for advertising account managers can vary tremendously and is normally determined by the particular product, company or industry. Entry level positions can begin at $15-20K annually, but one only has to watch television and do some research on commercial advertising rates to realize what income levels may reach at the top of the spectrum. Many advertising agencies receive huge contracts for promotion of nationally distributed items. Advertising account managers at this level tend to have lucrative compensation agreements. Working for a product manufacturer may not provide such an income level.
The median salary range for advertising account managers is $30-60K annually, but the numbers can be skewed by the disparity between industries. Advertising account managers in the broadcasting industry are compensated on salary and commission and can easily make $100 annually in top markets. Advertising account executives are the highest paid of all workers in broadcasting, often rivaling pay levels of general managers. Commissions and stock options are routine for upper level advertisement professionals and can enhance salaries greatly.
Advertising Account Manager Certifications
There are no certifications, per se, for advertising account managers. Individuals who prepare a training plan and then follow the plan to completion will almost always have an advantage. Advertising managers are critical to the operation of any private sector company and traditional education is the main priority in terms of employment competition. Anyone who has achieved a certification in a specific area of the industry will clearly have this advantage, but there is no mandated criteria.
Advertising Account Managers Trade Associations
Trade associations for advertising account managers are often dependent on the industry. An example is the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). There are also networks of advertising managers in different career fields, but are not a necessary requirement of any particular position unless company requested. General business associations are often acceptable and make for great resume builders.
