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Advertising Managers

Advertising managers plan and oversee advertising policies, programs and the promotions staff. Those in advertising management try to increase the interest in the purchasing of a product or service for a company. They strive to determine the most effective plan for informing customers regarding their company's products and services. An advertising manager collaborates with marketing directors to identify the firm's target markets, outline objectives and develop budgets for the advertising campaign.

In small companies an advertising manager might serve as a connection between the company and the advertising agency that has been chosen to perform advertising and promotional activities. In large companies those in advertising management direct in-house account, media and creative services departments. Advertising managers work in virtually every industry.

Some of the common job titles are advertising director, retail advertising sales manager, promotions director, marketing and promotions manager and advertising sales manager.

Responsibilities

  • Create advertising and promotional material
  • Keep track of the effectiveness of an advertising campaign
  • Develop budgets and submit program cost estimates as part of a campaign plan development
  • Assist with yearly budget development
  • Coordinate the activities of applicable departments
  • Evaluate promotional material
  • Identify and develop contacts for promotional campaigns
  • Prepare and negotiate advertising and sales contracts
  • Discuss with department managers topics including selection of advertising media, contracts and products to advertise
  • Gather information to develop advertising campaigns

Job Characteristics

Advertising managers work under pressure when schedules change, problems occur and deadlines need to be met. They may travel to meet with representatives of communications media or with clients. Working more than 40 hours per week is common in the occupation.

Advertising managers should be creative, flexible and highly motivated. The ability to persuasively communicate orally and in writing is important. Good computer skills are also important for the job.

Employment Outlook

From 2006 to 2016 the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth rate for advertising manager jobs. In 2006 the median annual earnings for advertising managers was $73,060 and in the advertising and related services industry it was $97,540. Many managers are given bonuses, participate in profit-sharing plans and are given stock in the company.

Approximately one-fourth of advertising managers are employed in the professional, scientific and technical services industries and wholesale trade. Those with a high level of creativity, a college degree and related experience should have the best opportunities. Some experienced, successful advertising managers move up to top executive positions.

In descending order the highest paying industries for advertising managers are securities and commodity brokerages; electrical and electronic goods merchant wholesalers; hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers; advertising, public relations and related services; and agriculture, construction and mining machinery manufacturing.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Many employers seek candidates that hold a bachelor's degree in advertising or journalism. Some employers require a master's degree. Some managers take certification programs. Most advertising management positions are filled by experienced personnel.

Beneficial college courses include consumer behavior, marketing, communications, business administration, journalism sales, market research, communications methods and technology, photography, visual arts and arts history. In addition, having the necessary computer skills to conduct advertising campaigns on the Internet is highly beneficial.

Resources

Major Employers

The top job providing industries are advertising, public relations and related services; private companies; newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishers; radio and television broadcasting; and business, professional, labor, political and similar occupations.

Schools for Advertising Managers are listed in the Browse Schools Section.

Advertising Managers Skills

Below are the skills needed to be advertising managers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Skill NameImportanceCompetence
Active Listening4.124.12
Critical Thinking44.12
Social Perceptiveness44
Speaking44.12
Judgment and Decision Making3.754

Advertising Managers Abilities

Below are the abilities needed to be advertising managers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Ability NameImportanceCompetence
Oral Expression4.254.75
Oral Comprehension44.38
Speech Clarity43.88
Written Comprehension44
Deductive Reasoning3.884.5

Advertising Managers Knowledge

Below are the knowledge areas needed to be advertising managers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
Sales and Marketing4.685.58
English Language4.414.85
Communications and Media4.355.21
Customer and Personal Service4.165.39
Administration and Management4.124.41

Advertising Managers Work activities

Below are the work activities involved in being advertising managers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
Interacting With Computers4.613.94
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization4.375.7
Getting Information4.324.67
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.255.15
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work4.175.56

Advertising Managers Work styles

Below are the work styles involved in being advertising managers according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work StyleImportance
Initiative4.56
Cooperation4.51
Dependability4.51
Attention to Detail4.48
Adaptability/Flexibility4.42

Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
Advertising Managers

Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Advertising Managers jobs , as of 2019

   
Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim1,200$145,170
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach610$85,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward610$175,210
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell580$140,980
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington550$109,030
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn390$138,440
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue330$150,170
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin320$95,460
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood300N/A
Austin-Round Rock280$119,000

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Total employment and salary for professions similar to advertising managers

Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Advertising Managers.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.