ADVERTISING (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The purpose of advertising is to attract buyers for products and services. Advertising workers include a wide variety of people whose jobs include planning, researching, creating, producing and planning ads for clients who make or have products and services to promote. Occupations within the field include: copywriter, account executive trainee, sales promoter, media buyer, and researcher.

Managers oversee advertising and promotion staffs, which usually are small, except in the largest firms. In a small firm, managers may serve as a liaison between the firm and the advertising or promotion agency to which many advertising or promotional functions are contracted out. In larger firms, advertising managers oversee in-house account, creative, and media services departments. The account executive manages the account services department, assesses the need for advertising, and, in advertising agencies, maintains the accounts of clients. The creative services department develops the subject matter and presentation of advertising. The creative director oversees the copy chief, art director, and associated staff. The media director oversees planning groups that select the communication media—for example, radio, television, newspapers, magazines, Internet, or outdoor signs—to disseminate the advertising.

Occupation Highlights:

• Keen competition for jobs is expected.
• College graduates with related experience, a high level of creativity, and strong communication skills should have the best job opportunities.
• High earnings, substantial travel, and long hours, including evenings and weekends, are common.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Median annual earnings in 2002 were $57,130 for advertising and promotions managers, $78,250 for marketing managers, $75,040 for sales managers, and $60,640 for public relations managers. Earnings ranged from less than $30,310 for the lowest 10 percent of advertising and promotions managers, to more than $145,600 for the highest 10 percent of marketing and sales managers.

Additional Resources:

American Association of Advertising Agencies,
405 Lexington Ave.,
New York, NY 10174-1801.
www.aaaa.org

Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
www.bls.gov/oco

Citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition, Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm