Becoming an Advertising Manager: The Process
The following steps can guide a student or career-changer interested in learning how to become an advertising manager. Undergraduate study can open doors to a diverse range of advertising opportunities, and pursuing an advanced degree can increase the possibility of achieving career goals more efficiently. The advertising manager position is not an entry-level role and therefore also requires years of on-the-job experience.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
While organizations consider candidates with various types of bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication can be particularly useful for those preparing to become advertising managers. In these programs, students gain the versatile skills needed to keep up with an ever-changing and unpredictable marketing environment, where consumers are constantly bombarded with messages.
The typical undergraduate communication curriculum covers key concepts designed to equip students with the skills to design campaigns that stand out, such as writing for communication and media, communication research methods, and global communication. They also typically offer concentrations in various areas, such as strategic communications, media strategy, and social media.
The multifaceted program can also lead to an internship, which can provide an excellent opportunity to work with advertising and media professionals in a real-world setting and to gain experience using communication tools to interact with clients.
Step 2: Build On-the-Job Experience
The path to becoming an advertising manager usually starts by gaining experience in an entry-level position, such as that of a media or advertising associate, account coordinator, advertising sales assistant, or junior creative team member (often in a brand planning or art role). In some cases, this experience can be gained through a role associated with advertising, such as a public relations specialist role.
In agency environments, employees might then advance to a supervisor role, helping entry-level employees move advertising layouts through approval phases in various departments. This provides valuable exposure to the cross-functional communication needed to execute a campaign from beginning to end. In addition, future advertising managers gain a keen awareness of the impact of brand consistency, attention to detail, and willingness to work with clients on a shared vision.
The progression of an advertising career then moves on to a midlevel role, such as that of an advertising manager. Because they worked their way up through the ranks, advertising managers know the importance of every department involved in the process, as well as how to communicate effectively with key team members. In addition, they have gained exposure to various types of media, including traditional print, broadcast, digital, and social media.
Step 3: Pursue a Master’s Degree (Optional)
While earning an advanced degree is not required to become an advertising manager, an MBA in Marketing can potentially help professionals advance to this role faster. It can also increase an individual’s potential for qualifying for a higher salary, a larger bonus, or more diverse career opportunities. An MBA in Marketing includes courses that supplement the core business curriculum of an MBA and focuses on relevant advertising topics, such as consumer behavior, social networking, and search engine optimization.
Click on the link below for more details: https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/communications/careers/become-a-advertising-manager/
