Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects, especially as advertising is an advantage:

• Advertising
• Business/Management
• Communications
• English
• Marketing

Skills:

You will need to show evidence of the following:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A proactive attitude, with the ability to use initiative
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to work under pressure and assimilate large quantities of information quickly, while maintaining attention to detail
• Flexibility
• Effective teamworking skills
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Oral and written communication skill
• Commercial awareness
• A passion for advertising and an understanding of what makes a good advertisement
• A willingness to learn
• Resilience, to enable you to deal with problems and constructive criticism
• IT literacy and an awareness of how the industry is developing in light of new communication technologies

Work experience:

Pre-entry work experience is extremely desirable and an excellent way to gain an understanding of how an agency works. It also enables you to make valuable contacts, which may be useful when you are looking for a permanent role as an account executive. Experience can be undertaken via vacation work, placements or job shadowing. Some larger agencies offer formal work experience/internship programmes, often in the form of summer schools.

Job Description:

Advertising account executives work within advertising or multi-service agencies, acting as a link between clients and the agency. They are responsible for the coordination of advertising campaigns and therefore communicating clearly to all those involved. They must understand their clients needs and objectives and liaise closely with them throughout campaigns, often on a daily basis. They manage administrative and campaign work and ensure that advertising projects are completed on time and on budget. The role can involve handling multiple accounts and the hours can be long in a competitive environment. Advertising account executives usually report to an account manager.

Advertising account executives contribute to and develop advertising campaigns. Tasks typically involve:

• Meeting and liaising with clients to discuss and identify their advertising requirements
• Working with agency colleagues to devise an advertising campaign that meets the clients brief and budget
• Presenting alongside agency colleagues (particularly the account manager), the campaign ideas and budget to the client
• Working with the account manager to brief media, creative and research staff and assisting with the formulation of marketing strategies
• Liaising with, and acting as the link between, the client and the advertising agency by maintaining regular contact with both
• Ensuring that communication flows effectively
• Negotiating with clients and agency staff about the details of campaigns
• Presenting creative work to clients for approval or modification
• Handling budgets,managing campaign costs and invoicing clients
• Writing client reports
• Monitoring the effectiveness of campaigns
• Undertaking administration tasks
• Arranging and attending meetings
• Making & pitches along with other agency staff, to try to win new business for the agency

Salary:

The range of salary will be between 10K-50K ( depending on experiences)

Employee benefits:

We offer additional benefits, such as profit-sharing schemes, car allowance or medical insurance.

Working hours:

Working hours are typically from 9:30am to 6:00pm, Sunday to Friday. However, there is often the expectation to start the day early or stay late in order to meet deadlines. Weekend work is rare. Although hours may be irregular, paid overtime is rare, but some agencies will offer time in lieu. Career breaks or part-time work are not typical in the industry but opportunities are increasing. Job-sharing and part-time work are sometimes possible and some of the larger agencies offer paid sabbaticals after a qualifying period of service.

What to expect :

• The working environment is generally informal, although smart dress is often the norm. The role can involve socialising with clients.
• The work may be stressful and highly pressurised, for example, when meeting tight deadlines, juggling various clients and projects, or generating ideas when pitching for a new client & business. However, being an advertising account executive can also be very exciting and rewarding.
• Although advertising account executives are generally office- based, travel within the working day is frequent as they will be expected to visit clients and may attend TV shoots, radio recordings or castings. Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel is occasionally required.