Account Manager, Sales Manager
Interest in analyzing advertising needs of establishments; and in developing advertising campaigns and in evaluating promotional and marketing results against budgeted sales, costs, profits and effect on future sales
Interest in consulting with managers of establishments on advertising needs; and in advising clients on advertising and sales promotion strategies
Interest in implementing advertising campaigns for print and electronic media
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Advertising account executives are the primary link between advertising agencies and their clients. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the agency and the type of account but, in general, they:
Advertising account executives also may be expected to bring in new business for the agency.
Advertising account executives usually work in office environments. Some travel may be required.
Dealing with difficult clients, unexpected challenges and working long, irregular hours to meet deadlines can be stressful.
Advertising account executives need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy consulting with people and analyzing client needs, and developing, implementing and evaluating advertising campaigns.
Advertising account executives are marketing consultants and communications experts. They need computer skills and related experience as well as related post-secondary education (for example, a two-year diploma in advertising or marketing, or a bachelor's degree in commerce, management, business administration, psychology or sociology). Courses in marketing, market research, economics, statistics, accounting, the psychology of persuasion or perception and communication arts are recommended. Some employers require applicants for account executive positions to have a related master's degree (for example, Master of Business Administration) or experience in a particular industry (for example, retail, insurance or health care).
Suitable business administration, commerce, management and liberal arts programs are offered by post-secondary institutions throughout Alberta. For information about marketing programs, see the Marketing Manager occupation profile.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Advertising account executives are employed by advertising agencies and the advertising departments of large companies. Most agencies and head offices are located in large urban centres.
Most account executives have started their careers in junior positions and worked their way up. Advancement usually takes the form of being assigned higher profile clients and bigger campaigns. In advertising agencies, successful account executives may advance to account manager, supervisor and account director positions.
Advertising account executives are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1122: Professional occupations in business services to management. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 14,600 Albertans are employed in the Professional occupations in business services to management occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.6% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 234 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As advertising account executives form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for advertising account executives.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Advertising account executives may be paid a salary or work on a contract basis.
Advertising account executives are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1123: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations.
According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations occupational group earned on average from $33.71 to $45.43 an hour. The overall average wage was $38.73 an hour. For more information, see the Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations wage profile.
Association of Canadian Advertisers website: www.acaweb.ca
Institute of Communication Agencies website: www.icacanada.ca
My Big Future website: www.mybigfuture.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 16, 2015. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.