Job description

Advertising account executives act as the main point of contact between an advertising agency or media company and its clients. They communicate with the client to understand their advertising needs, budget, target audience and market competition. The account executive then liaises with colleagues, including media planners and designers, to build the appropriate advertising campaign.

Duties

    • Meet with clients to discuss current and future campaigns
    • Research the client’s services, competition and market
    • Negotiate and define campaign budgets and timescales with clients
    • Write briefs and report to creative department
    • Ensure projects are on time and within budget
    • Report on progress to the client
    • Present proposals and creative work to the client
    • Tend to administrative duties like records and invoices

Skills and qualities

Communication
Organisational
Interpersonal
Analytical
Decision-making
Creativity
Writing
Problem-solving
Time management
Persuasion
Negotiation
Deductive reasoning
Critical thinking
Coordination
Marketing
Customer service

Job outlook

Projected growth
The projected growth rate of employment in the US from 2016 to 2026, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme. The national average growth rate for all professions is 7%.

5%

New jobs
The number of jobs projected to become available in the US between 2016 and 2026, based on data collected through the BLS Employment Projections (EP) programme.

1.7k

Automation risk
The probability of computerisation, based on data published in ‘The Future of Employment’, a 2013 working paper by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael Osborne.

4%

Career progression

An advertising account executive may progress to higher positions within an organisation such as account manager or account director. With enough experience and knowledge, they may also advance to a client services director, who oversees the entire account management department.

With enough networking, experience and budget, some advertising account executives move on to open their own advertising agencies. Others choose to work on a freelance basis.

Working conditions

Average hours

40h/ week

Typical schedule

Full Time

Evenings occasionally

Advertising account executives are employed in the corporate office of an advertising company or media agency. They often travel for meetings with clients and partners; they sometimes might even travel abroad.

The work environment of an account executive can be high-pressured and competitive as it sometimes involves meeting tight deadlines. You may also be required to work long hours and occasionally on evenings.

Salary

Bottom 10%

$57k

Median

$120k

Top 10%

$210k

Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.

Qualifications and training

Education level

Undergraduate

BA in advertising or related field

Study time

4 years

Advertising account executives require a bachelor’s degree in either advertising, communications, journalism, marketing, business or accounting. Most agencies will prefer a candidate with a master’s degree in one of these fields, as it demonstrates more experience and a higher qualification.

While training is sometimes offered on the job, agencies will consider it a plus if you have previous work experience in sales, advertising, market or advertising research.

Last Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2023

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