Employers

There are approximately 389,000 advertising and promotions managers employed in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Virtually every business in the United States has some form of advertising position. The larger the company, the more managerial positions it will likely have. Another factor is the geographical territory covered by the business. Companies doing business in larger geographical territories will likely have more managerial positions than those with smaller territories.

Starting Out

Before advancing to a managerial position, you will first need experience in lower-level advertising jobs. To break into an advertising firm, use your schools career services office for assistance. In addition, several firms advertise job listings on their Web sites as well as on employment Web sites.

Your first few jobs in advertising should give you experience working with clients, studying the market, and following up on client service. This work will provide you with a good sense of the rhythm of the job and the type of work required.

Most advertising management and top executive positions are filled by experienced lower-level workers who have displayed valuable skills such as leadership, self-confidence, creativity, motivation, decisiveness, and flexibility. In smaller firms, advancement to a management position may come slowly, while promotions may occur more quickly in larger firms. Many managers are former purchasing agents, sales representatives, buyers, products, advertising, promotions, or public relations specialists.

Advancement may be accelerated by participating in advanced training programs sponsored by industry and trade associations or enrolling in local universities continuing education programs. The firm sometimes pays for these programs. Managers committed to improving their knowledge of the field and related disciplines—especially computer information systems—will have the best opportunities for advancement. Advertising managers can advance to become top executives (chief executive officer, etc.) or open their firms. Others become college professors.

The American Association of Advertising Agencies offers an advertising agency search engine at its Web site, https://www.aaaa.org/home-page/agency-search. Use it to search for potential job leads.

Participate in internships or part-time jobs that are arranged by your college’s career services office or professional associations. The American Advertising Federation offers information on its internship programs at https://www.aaf.org.

Conduct information interviews with advertising managers and ask them for advice on landing a job.