What Is an Advertising Director?
The general responsibility of an advertising director is to manage an organization’s advertising program. These directors not only create the plans and materials that are used to promote a product or service, but also ensure that others are handling their respective responsibilities. Typically, those with the title of advertising director have earned a bachelor’s degree in a related major. This academic achievement is preferred by most employers.
When an association is looking to endorse a product or a service, an advertising program is formed. This program outlines a strategy for promotion. It is an advertising director who manages this advertising program and is responsible for making sure that all the materials, such as television commercials or poster billboards, follow the set strategy. Advertising directors run the internal advertising department and organize efforts with any outside advertising agencies. In some cases, an advertising director might concoct advertising budgets, review layouts, and negotiate advertising contracts while assisting in the development of advertising strategies.
How to Become an Advertising Director
In this business, employers are looking for their employees to possess at least a bachelor’s degree for those applying for an advertising director position. There are numerous degrees that can prepare you for this career. Some of these degrees include a Bachelor of Science in advertising, communication, and marketing. Most of the aforementioned programs commonly comprise of courses in marketing, methods of communication as well as some visual arts.
This is all because advertising directors are expected to have outstanding communication skills along with some creativity. Since they serve as leaders, it is important to have the ability to manage employees and oversee projects. To achieve any job, but especially that of an advertising director, you will be expected to know how to lead, set an example, and communicate well with your staff. It is a position of power that needs to be taken seriously. Nothing can prepare you more for the challenge than experience.
Advertising Director Career Outlook & Salary
As local and international competition for products and services increases, employment in the advertising industry only continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees employment for advertising directors to rise at an average rate through the year 2016. The competition of achieving an advertising director position can be more than just friendly – in fact, it is likely to be cut-throat.
It is the advertising directors who possess Internet marketing experience that can gain a slight advantage over other candidates. Of course, there are other ways to gain a leg up on the competition and that is through obtaining an even higher level of education, more internships, and any other type of working experience you can get. In addition, practicing your communication skills in your own free time can drastically improve your position in the order of merit. The Bureau reports yearly average salaries for advertising directors to be $91,100 as of May 2007.
