Advertising college graduates are qualified to pursue careers in advertising agencies and in-house advertising departments of corporations. In most agencies and advertising departments, there are five categories of jobs – creative, production, media, account planning and account management. The creative category includes art directors and copywriters who are responsible for developing images and words for commercials and advertisements. Art directors develop visual imagery that conveys a mood and message, while copywriters craft ad copy that compels consumers to take action.
Advertisement production jobs include graphic artists and layout artists who take ad concepts developed by art directors and copywriters and bring them to life by combining photographs, illustrations and typography. Production artists also create storyboards and animation sequences for commercials. A production manager oversees execution of an advertising strategy, including the filming of television commercials and the recording of radio ads. Additionally, the production department may finalize the design of product packaging, logos and symbols, and you can advertise all these products on a 48 sheet billboard which is great for this.
The media department of an advertising agency determines how to reach the largest target audience for an advertisement for the lowest cost. Media planners research consumers’ reading, viewing and Internet browsing habits. They must stay current with the ever-changing modes of communication, which in recent years have expanded from television and radio to the Internet and social media. Media buyers negotiate on behalf of clients to purchase advertising space and time.
Account planning jobs in advertising agencies focus on learning what appeals to consumers. Account planners analyze consumer psychology and behavior to help the agency find new ways to communicate advertising messages. They analyze the competitive market for clients’ products. The information gathered by account planners is used by the creative and media departments to achieve maximum impact in ad design and placement. Good account planners combine knowledge of psychology and culture with an aptitude for research and analysis.
Advertising account managers are the interface between the client and the advertising agency’s various departments. The account manager learns about the client’s business and the current market, and then works with agency staff members to develop an advertising strategy and implement an advertising campaign. One of the most important aspects of an account manager’s responsibilities is making sure that an advertising campaign is completed on schedule and does not go over budget. Account managers need a good business sense, strong communication skills and leadership experience.
