The advertising sector has become incredibly lucrative in a digital environment where brands constantly compete for our attention. This industry has grown even more lucrative as social media develops, and how we consume advertising keeps changing.
Think you have advertising ideas that can go viral? You should become an advertiser!
Read the blog to learn about a career as an advertiser, job roles, career paths, educational qualifications, and salary insights. Make sure to read till the end for some good reading suggestions!
What does an Advertiser do?
An advertiser is a person or business that employs traditional and digital media in a persuasive and creative manner to market a brand, product, or service. By researching the needs of the market and the potential customer base, these creative specialists develop, advertise, and positively promote items.
An advertiser can take on several responsibilities depending on their job role. Although coming up with ideas and producing ads is a big part of their duty, there is a lot more involved in the job. The nature of the job will demand the following responsibilities in your career as an Advertiser:
- Conducting market research.
- Working with the sales and design teams to develop targeted ad campaigns.
- Reviewing multimedia ads to ensure a consistent brand voice
- Keeping track of the success of ad campaigns to gauge return on investment.
- Guide future marketing initiatives.
- Evaluate different media channels to see which ones hit their target audience best.
- Negotiate costs and ad space with vendors.
Job Roles for an Advertiser
Here is a list of specific job roles with the best outlook you can pursue if you are interested in a career as an advertiser.
- Social Media Coordinator:
Build a brand and engage with your audience all through social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
- Event Planner:
Scouting locations, negotiating with vendors, overseeing decorations, and bringing in a crowd through their communications are some of the key responsibilities for a person wanting to pursue this advertising career.
- Marketing Coordinator:
As a marketing coordinator, you will be involved in all marketing activities, such as marketing campaigns and strategies. Marketing coordinators will also keep up with trending activities and new tools available in the market, and collect feedback on campaigns or events.
- Market Researcher:
Professionals in this field are essential in assisting businesses in identifying their target market, the best way to sell their goods and services, and the most profitable market trends.
- Copywriter/Content Writer:
Copywriters and content writers are frequently employed by advertising firms to provide written material for the promotion and sale of various products and services.
- Advertising Account Executive:
Advertising account executives are the connection between clients and the creative teams at advertising agencies
- Production Executive:
Production assistants support the production of advertising campaigns. Some tasks they will be involved in include scheduling shoots, finding props, creating sets, and networking with vendors.
- Digital Marketing Executive:
A digital marketing executive is in charge of creating and executing plans to advertise the goods of a business or brand online.
Career path for an Advertiser
No matter how creative you are, in today’s time of virality, if you wish to have a career as an advertiser, you need to have some educational background to support your skillset.
Here are a few career pathways you can adopt to have a career as an advertiser right after school.
Path I
- Minimum 55% in Grade 12 from a recognized university and board.
- Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising /Advertising and Marketing Communication/ Brand Communication or related fields.
Path II
- Minimum 55% in Grade 12 from a recognized university and board.
- Bachelors in Advertising/Brand Management/Journalism and Mass Communication/Media Management/ Mass Media
After either of the pathways, one can pursue internship opportunities followed by a full-time position. Though not compulsory, a postgraduate degree will give you an upper edge in the job market.
Salary in different stages of a career as an Advertiser
As you grow in your career, you will gain more knowledge and experience in your specific field. With more experience and knowledge come higher job roles and salaries.
The table below highlights the industry average salary that you can expect as your career as an advertiser grows.
Career Level | Experience | Industry Average Salary |
Entry Level | 0 – 2 years | ₹5.4 – ₹6.6 lacs per annum |
Managerial | 3 – 4 years | ₹7.2 – ₹9 lacs per annum |
Director | 6 – 7 years | ₹9.6 – ₹13 lacs per annum |
VP | 12 – 14 years | ₹14 – ₹25 lacs per annum |
Chief Marketing Officer | Above 20 years | ₹18 – ₹38 lacs per annum |
Skills Required to become an Advertiser
Following is a comprehensive list of skills you will need to master to be successful in a career as an advertiser.
- Management Skills:
Collaborating with designers, content writers, and clients will help you create successful campaigns. As an advertising manager will also manage budgets, events, and vendors while working on campaigns.
- Media Skills:
Understanding the reach and functionality of various media is essential in a career as an advertiser. Knowing how to utilize different media to achieve company goals will make you more marketable in the advertising employment market.
- Marketing Skills:
Do you know how to organize, create, and present effective advertising campaigns to your team and clients? These are just a few performance metrics you’ll be judged by when developing and executing a marketing strategy.
- Computer Skills:
Depending on your position, most of your daily activities will entail using programs like Photoshop and Illustrator while working from a computer. Or you can find yourself merely emailing clients and communicating project details.
- Research and Observation Skills:
You’ll find research and observation are valuable advertising skills. Looking through various sites to discover inspiration is an effective way to come up with innovative ideas.
- Adaptability:
Being willing and able to learn and attempt new things is essential to add to your set of advertising skills in a market that is constantly evolving.
Is Advertising a good career option?
The Indian advertising market was estimated to be worth around 564 billion Indian rupees in 2020, and by 2022, it was expected to grow to up to 700 billion rupees. In the period under consideration, the industry had developed at a pace of 11.59%, and in the years to come, fast digitalization would likely fuel further expansion in the sector.
The cost of advertising had been continuously rising until 2020 when the coronavirus shut down many industries. Fortunately, the market had strong growth in 2021 and is anticipated to keep up this trend and reach 1 trillion dollars in 2026. A career as an advertiser has potential for growth.
Type of industries Hiring Advertisers
Every business in every industry requires advertising, otherwise, no one would know of their products or service. Regardless if the business is in the commercial or industrial sector, it will always need an advertiser. Here is a list of popular industries for a career in advertising.
- Technology Sector
- Film/Entertainment Sector
- Hospitality Sector
- Restaurant Sector
- Online Service Sector
- Digital Marketing Sector
Top 6 Recruiters for Advertisers in India
- DDB Mudra:
One of India’s top 10 advertising firms servicing clients such as Volkswagen, Castrol and Future Group.
- Dentsu Aegis Network:
The company is currently India’s largest advertising agency and the world’s fifth largest advertising agency network when it comes to revenue.
- FCB Ulka Advertising:
Headquartered in Mumbai, they offer services such as advertising in periodicals, newspapers, radio and television, and other media outlets.
- Group M:
With 400 branches globally, they offer a plethora of marketing and advertising services to multinational brands.
- Havas Media Group:
One of the greatest worldwide advertising and communications firms in the world, the corporation has operations in over 100 nations.
- Madison Communications:
The company is globally renowned for its services in marketing and communications.
Courses to upskill as an Advertiser
The best approach to learning about skillsets or areas of interest in advertising is through certificate courses. Additionally, it shows that the individual is making an attempt to master new skills.
You can enrol in certificate programs while you’re still in college or after your graduation if you’ve already learned the nuances of the industry.
Finding a certificate course in advertising would be challenging because the field of advertising is so diverse. To jump-start your career in advertising, you might look at specific courses within the industry.
Here are a few certificate courses to try in your development of a career as an advertiser:
- Digital Advertising Strategy by University of Colorado
- Meta Social Media Marketing
- Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more
Qualifications to become an Advertiser
All areas of advertising, regardless of which one you want to succeed in, require abilities like problem-solving, originality, and spontaneity. To start your career as an advertiser, getting a bachelor’s degree would be the best course of action.
Degrees in India
Both online and offline options are offered for undergraduate advertising courses. You will gain knowledge of techniques including critical analysis, message development, research testing, etc.
UG degree names
The eligibility criteria and top colleges you can apply to are discussed in our blog- How to become an Advertiser. The estimated duration of the undergraduate courses is 3-4 years.
Here are a few undergraduate courses you can try to begin your career as an advertiser:
- BA in Advertising
- B.Com in Advertising and Brand Management
- Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Bachelors in Media Management
- Bachelors in Mass Media
PG
The eligibility criteria for applying to a postgraduate program in advertising are as follows:
- A minimum of 50% – 60% in an undergraduate program in advertising, journalism, mass media, or related fields.
- Qualify for the entrance exam (university-specific)
Here are a few postgraduate courses you can try to upskill your career as an advertiser:
Degrees | Duration |
Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising | 2 years |
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations | 2 years |
Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and TV Journalism | 2 years |
Postgraduate Course in Multimedia Journalism | 2 years |
Postgraduate Course in Advertising and Corporate Communication | 2 years |
Master of Arts in Advertising | 2 years |
Master of Arts in Public Relations | 2 years |
Post-graduate in Market Research and Data Analytics | 2 years |
Degrees Abroad
Check out our previous blog to learn more about the eligibility criteria to apply for undergraduate courses abroad. You can pursue your bachelor’s in Marketing/advertising/brand management/graphic design or related fields.
The eligibility criteria to apply for postgraduate courses in Advertising are:
- A minimum of 55% or equivalent grade point average in a bachelor’s program.
- English proficiency score- IELTS, OEFL, PTE. (The score criteria differ from one country to another, please check the university website for details.)
- SOP, LOR, Application Essay.
Here are a few postgraduate courses in advertising abroad that you can try to upskill your career as an advertiser:
Degrees | Duration |
MBA in Advertising | 2 years |
MBA in Mass Communications | 2 years |
MBA in Public Relations | 2 years |
MBA in Communication Studies | 2 years |
References for an Advertiser
Books to read for a career as an Advertiser:
- Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy
- Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Ads by Luke Sullivan
- Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy
- Scientific Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins
- Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout
- Truth, Lies, and Advertising: The Art of Account Planning by Jon Steel
- This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See by Seth Godin
- Creative Advertising: Ideas and Techniques from the World’s Best Campaigns Planning and Producing World Class Advertising Campaigns by Mario Pricken
- Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy by Martin Lindstrom
- Truth, Lies, and Advertising: The Art of Account Planning by Jon Steel
Advertising surrounds consumers in the face every day. This may be the ideal career for you if you possess the advertising skills to get them to stop and take notice of your own campaigns.
Take some time to figure out what skills you possess, and which ones you need to work on. This introspection will help you be clear on which type of advertising job role matches the advertising skills you have.
Still confused? See if you would like to become a Future Advertiser with Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA Advertising program, where you will get to work in advertising, branding and digital marketing with the likes of Domino’s, Puma and Kellogg’s.
FAQ Section for Career as an Advertiser
What’s the difference between marketing and advertising?
Marketing is essentially the act of figuring out how to effectively satisfy clients’ wants after having identified those needs. Advertising, in contrast, is the practise of marketing a business and its goods or services through paid means. In other words, marketing includes advertising as a part of it.
Is it hard to get a job in advertising?
A job in the modern ad industry is as difficult to secure as a major account due to the intense competition in the industry and the dearth of open opportunities. Even internships are difficult to obtain, and that path is not particularly obscure.
How can I join the advertising industry in India?
After class 12, look for degrees in marketing and intern with companies during your studies. This will help you create a network and land a career as an advertiser.
Can a marketing major go into advertising?
For fresh graduates who wish to use their marketing degree to their advantage, advertising and marketing agencies make sense. Copywriters, researchers, artists, and event planners are examples of entry-level employment.
Does advertising require math?
Math isn’t a core skill required for an advertising career. Though you will be analyzing numerical data and managing budgets, having some maths skills would help.
How long does it take to become an advertising manager?
After starting a job in advertising, a couple of years of experience in the advertising field would be necessary to move up to a managerial position.
Which stream is best for advertising?
You can select any stream that interests you. Candidates with formal management or advertising/mass communication qualifications are typically sought after by advertising companies. For positions in market research, client services, and media planning divisions, MBAs are preferred.
How can I improve my advertising skills?
Ways to improve advertising skills include taking courses, networking with people in the field, reading books on advertising, and staying up-to-date on industry trends. Take up internships during your studies as well.