Advertising Specialist

Advertising specialists discuss clients’ requirements, and plan, prepare and present advertising campaigns to sell products or services.

Job opportunities: Chances of getting a job as an advertising specialist are good as the number of positions is rising.

Length of training: No specific training requirements.

About the job

What you will do:

• source new clients
• discuss with the client their product, what kind of advertising they want, and what medium to use
• research the product, client or service
• think up advertising ideas for print, television or direct mail in partnership with a copywriter and other members of the creative team
• help prepare advertising campaigns
• present drafts and ideas to the client
• negotiate contracts with people involved in the advertising process such as photographers, talent (people featuring in advertisements), television directors and other production workers

Skills and knowledge needed:

• knowledge of advertising and promotional methods, and how to target specific audiences
• the ability to come up with new marketing and advertising ideas, and opportunities for clients
• an understanding of market

How to enter the job

To become an advertising specialist you need to have excellent design skills, creative ability and experience in marketing and advertising. You also need to have a portfolio of your work as most employers want to see this.

Some employers also require a relevant tertiary qualification, such as a degree or diploma in advertising, marketing, sales, communications, graphic design or media studies.

Secondary education: A tertiary entrance qualification is needed to enter further training. Useful subjects at school include English, art, art history, maths with statistics, or economics.

Personal qualities needed:

• creative
• observant, with an eye for detail
• good listening and negotiation skills
• analytical skills for determining clients’ needs
• good at managing time, planning and budgeting
• excellent communication skills for presenting and selling ideas to

Useful experience:

• work in radio, television or newspapers
• work as a graphic designer or artist
• any art or design work
• typographical work
• business management
• sales and marketing
• public

Related jobs:  Advertising, Sales and Marketing Manager, Public Relations Professional.

Vocational pathways: Services industries, Creative industries.