Advertising managers fulfill an essential role in advertising agencies, serving as liaisons between the client and creative department and providing a wide variety of client services. Some companies have in-house advertising managers who oversee the planning, development and execution of advertising and marketing campaigns.
Advertising manager positions can be quite lucrative while offering independence and substantial opportunities for growth. The first step toward an advertising manager career can be enrolling in the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing program from Florida Institute of Technology.
Career Outlook for Advertising Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment of advertising managers will decline somewhat in the coming years. The increasing dominance of electronic media, automation and generative AI is driving the declining demand for print advertisements and, as such, the employment of traditional advertising managers.
However, digitally savvy advertising managers who know how to leverage modern technologies to promote products and services may maintain their competitive edge in the crowded job market. Given the high level of interest in this field, competition for jobs can be strong. Candidates with relevant education, experience and proficiency should enjoy better prospects.
What Is an Advertising Manager?
Advertising manager job descriptions vary widely, as differences in specific positions and industries require differing responsibilities. Advertising managers may perform a variety of job duties, including:
- Consulting with clients to determine how to improve market share and sales
- Gathering and organizing information to help with decision-making regarding media placement, campaign length, featured products and services, and technical details
- Ensuring that a client’s needs are met, and any concerns are addressed
- Staying in close communication with the client, answering questions, explaining strategy and providing status updates
- Obtaining client approval on projects
- Communicating client feedback to the creative team
- Working to increase agency revenue by recommending new promotional opportunities or additional services
- Preparing advertising budgets, calendars and project schedules
- Meeting with the creative team during strategy sessions
- Recommending creative concept revisions according to the client’s needs and preferences
- Negotiating contracts and coordinating media placements
Although advertising managers typically work in an office environment, they may also travel to meet with clients and attend trade shows. While a 40-hour week is common, deadlines and other factors often require long and irregular hours.
Advertising Management Salary and Earning Potential
According to BLS data, the median annual salary for advertising and promotions managers was $131,870 in 2023, with the top 10% of earners receiving more than $239,200 per year. As with other professions, salaries tend to be higher for individuals with extensive experience and advanced education.
Numerous factors influence potential salary ranges and employment opportunities, including a candidate’s job history and educational qualifications, as well as local market conditions. Plus, with extensive experience and advanced education, advertising managers gain the skills needed to rise through the ranks into highly lucrative executive-level positions.
Education and Training: How to Become an Advertising Manager
BLS reports that most advertising, promotions and marketing manager positions require a bachelor’s degree, although some organizations may favor candidates with a master’s degree. Relevant work experience is also a must to move into management-level positions.
While an entry-level advertising career can begin with a bachelor’s degree, earning an MBA in marketing will help accelerate professionals into the management track. Coursework in Florida Tech’s MBA in Marketing covers a breadth of fundamental business subjects, strategic management, strategic marketing, advanced market research, international business and consumer behavior strategies. Graduates of a business administration program with a concentration in marketing should be able to:
- Employ fundamental business and marketing principles
- Develop marketing strategies for diverse business environments
- Analyze, plan, implement and monitor advertising campaigns
- Identify market segments, estimate consumer demand and position products
- Manage service and product offerings while supervising staff and optimizing operations
Employers may also offer opportunities for continuing education. Professionals who show high levels of potential and motivation may use education incentives to pursue advanced degrees and according promotion opportunities.
What Does It Take to Excel in an Advertising Manager Career?
To succeed as an advertising manager, professionals must be driven, focused and able to interact effectively with a variety of personality types. This field also requires a high level of creativity and flexibility, self-motivation, good decision-making skills and the ability to communicate persuasively.
For those who have these essential qualities and the drive to develop them further, pursuing advertising manager roles can be an excellent choice. The next step to enhancing this skill set and launching an exciting career as an advertising manager can be enrolling in a specialized marketing MBA program.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online MBA in Marketing program.
