Executive Search Firm | Careers & Industry - Advertising Profile

Career Profile: Advertising

Advertising is essential for success in the business realm because the world is entirely connected through Internet, television, and portable devices,. Advertising has shifted from newspaper ads and mailing handouts to episode specific commercials and strategic Internet banner placements. As information becomes more accessible and personal options are increased, advertising has experienced a wealth of growth as businesses need to analyze where to direct their advertising efforts. Television advertising has become more than just putting a commercial together, but targeting key audiences watching specific television channels at certain times throughout the day. The Internet has become the number one way of advertising for many companies who know the power of the web. Due to the great success of search engines such as Google or Yahoo! Internet offers an opportunity for businesses to be available to the public. Businesses are requiring more than just creative ways to brand their name. They require advertising efforts that will insure results.
Companies use advertising agencies to brand their name, grow their recognition, conglomerate on business decisions, and inform the company on future direction.

Who Does Well:

Individuals who enjoy diversity, creativity and pop culture will thrive in the advertising industry because there is always new and upcoming projects. Advertising is a particularly young industry but it really just requires that it’s workers be social.

Career Tracks:

Jobs in advertising usually come in two forms; either you can work for an advertising firm or be an advertising consultant, in which companies that do not have their own advertising department will hire individuals for an extended period of time. Advertising agencies are expected to complete the advertising process from idea formulation to execution of the product or concept. Companies are spending billions of dollars for the expertise of advertising professionals who know the current business standings, population make up, and forecast of expected trends. Advertising jobs may focus on branding a company name, promoting a new product, increasing general awareness, or targeting a specific audience.
Growing markets within the advertising industry include multicultural, integrated marketing, and sponsorship. Businesses are sponsoring arenas, events, and much more in order to brand their name in nontraditional ways that may stand out amongst the bombarding advertisements seen nationwide. The Oracle Arena is an example of businesses branding their name by sponsorships reaching out to the general public.
The top four advertising companies, Omnicom Group, WPP Group, Interpublic Group, and Publicis Groupe, are global advertising firms, which have experienced tremendous growth as they have expanded their territory. As the world becomes more connected, global companies are reaping the benefit. However, small private advertising agencies are not obsolete by any means. Smaller agencies can specialize in specific markets and offer clients the personal touch that may be lacking in the strictly regulated big corporations.

Benefits:

Working in advertising offers a relaxed and fun atmosphere where creativity, flexibility, and teamwork are valued. Team members of advertising firms are usually young, full of energy, current with trends, and excited about their work. The ability to produce work that influences the population and brings awareness to individuals provides employees with internal motivation and satisfaction in their work.

Drawbacks:

Despite popular belief an advertising employee, the job comes with many setbacks as well. You may find yourself working with contemptuous clients, promoting a person or product you do not necessarily believe in, or even fearful of loosing your job if it depends solely on one account. Advertising certainly entails a lot of high pressure situations and can thus lead to quite a bit of stress.

Despite the positives and negatives of advertising and PR positions, both offer an exciting opportunity full of variety with room for creativity and growth. Over the last 80 years, PR and advertising have worked hand in hand with public relations building the foundation for advertising efforts to have their greatest effect. Public relation gives advertising the credibility it needs in order for it to effectively reach the public.