What Is an Account Executive?
Advertising account executives work for advertising agencies. They serve as the bridge between the agency and its clients. Account executives vend the agency’s services to the client, typically a company or corporation, and then work side by side with the company’s advertising manager. Account executives make use of the agency’s many departments – this comprises of copywriting, art, and marketing. They then generate strong advertising campaigns for their clients. Typically, account executives are managed by the few higher up than them or simply the owners of the agency.
A lot of research needs to be taken in before any steps can be taken and this includes developing a plan for an advertising campaign that is the best fit to a client’s wants and objectives. The work for any account executive really begins by choosing a target market and this decision is made based on information presented by the client as well as from the agency’s market research department. Any prosperous campaigns can secure repeat business from a client while also increasing the chances of creating campaigns for new clients.
How to Become an Account Executive
Those that are considering breaking into the industry and become an advertising account executive will be required to have at least obtained a bachelor’s degree. Choosing a major in advertising, marketing, or business administration is a start and can be a great foundation to build upon. It should be noted that a lot of the larger advertising agencies like to hire those with a master’s degree in business administration.
A way to further separate yourself from other candidates is to possess working experience in sales, advertising, or market research. This experience can make your resume look good enough to land an entry-level account executive. This working experience does not need to be full-time work – summer jobs, part-time or freelance work, as well as an internship, can help you fulfill this requirement.
Some of the larger advertising agencies frequently put qualified candidates through a specific training program for account executives. Those who believe they are qualified candidates should apply directly to the ad agencies they would most like to work for.
Account Executive Career Outlook & Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advertising account executives held about 154,000 jobs in 2004. Overall employment of advertising is expected to increase by 13% through 2018. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2009 averaged $43,325.
Employment of account executives is expected to rise fast and with the number of outlets for advertising increasing, advertising agencies will continue to find a need for more account executives. There is great deal of stress and pressure in the working environment of advertising account executives. There are long hours and multiple responsibilities, and sometimes your hard work can go unappreciated.
If an advertising agency loses a big account, it is the people who worked on that account that can be held responsible and be let go. This limited job security can be very intimidating and overshadow the benefits of the position for some. However, if you are successful, being an account executive can be a very lucrative career.
