Advertising account executive
Advertising account executives manage the relationship between an advertising agency and its clients.
Also known as: Account handler, client services executive
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an advertising account executive, you could:
- manage existing client accounts, renewals and develop new business
- discuss ideas for ad campaigns with clients and the creative team
- present ideas, costs and timescales for clients to consider
- track the progress of an ad campaign's development
- measure the effectiveness of a campaign once it goes live
- manage budgets, bills and invoices
- work to tight project deadlines
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- persuading and negotiating skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to sell products and services
- administration skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a advertising account executive
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate trainee scheme
University
You could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like:
- advertising and marketing
- communication and media studies
- business management
- psychology
Postgraduate courses in advertising are also widely available.
Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.
Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position with an advertising agency.
Courses include:
- professional marketing
- business administration
- T Level in Marketing
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on an Advertising and Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This can take up to 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Work
You might be able to start in a junior position at an advertising agency, for example as an admin assistant .
You could then work your way up through on-the-job training with a professional body, and promotion.
Volunteering
Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising.
You could try:
- volunteering
- internships
- temporary jobs
Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with companies about potential opportunities.
Other routes
If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior executive or advertising account manager, with an agency.
You might also move into related areas like strategic account planning or media planning .
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) for professional development and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleMarketing executive
- Job roleAdvertising media buyer
- Job roleAdvertising art director
- Job roleAdvertising media planner
- Job roleAdvertising copywriter
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