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Advertising Account Executive
Advertising account executives plan and manage ad campaigns for print, electronic and social media.
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Avg. Salary $69,165.00
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Avg. Wage $36.24
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook below avg
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Employed < 1500
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Account Director, Account Manager
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Advertising and Promotion Consultants (1122.2)
- 2006 NOC-S: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (B022)
- 2011 NOC: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (1123)
- 2016 NOC: Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (1123)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
48%
48%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $28.73 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $36.24 |
| Top | $46.68 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Advertising Account Executive is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Advertising and Promotion Consultants
- INNOVATIVE
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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
- SOCIAL
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Interest in consulting with managers of establishments on advertising needs; and in advising clients on advertising and sales promotion strategies
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in implementing advertising campaigns for print and electronic media
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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.
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives are the link between ad agencies and their clients. Their work varies depending on the agency and the type of account. But in general, they:
- Get to know their clients’ products, services, markets, goals, competitors and preferred media
- Consult with clients to set goals and budgets
- Build client relationships
- Communicate client goals to digital, media and creative personnel (such as art directors, copywriters and media planners)
- Develop research activities
- Develop campaign strategies
- Give campaign ideas and cost estimates to clients
- Liaise between groups (such as the client, public relations, media and agency staff as well as production, creative, research and social media teams)
- Ensure campaigns run on time and on budget
- Assess and adjust campaigns
- Manage projects and campaigns
They may also be expected to bring in new business.
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives usually work in offices in large cities. They may need to travel from time to time.
Dealing with difficult clients or unexpected challenges can be stressful. Advertising account executives may also need to work long, irregular hours to meet deadlines.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives need:
- Energy, confidence and initiative
- A competitive spirit
- Creativity and flexibility
- An open-minded, inquisitive attitude
- Attention to detail and the ability to see the big picture
- Integrity
- Communication skills (including the ability to give presentations under pressure)
- Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Organizational skills
- The ability to learn quickly
They should enjoy consulting with people and analyzing client needs.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives specialize in marketing and communications. They need computer skills, related experience and related post-secondary education, such as a 2-year diploma in advertising or marketing or a bachelor’s degree in commerce, management, business administration, psychology or sociology. Recommended courses include marketing, market research, economics, statistics, accounting, communication arts, and persuasion or perception psychology. Some employers require a master’s degree, such as a master of business administration, or experience in a certain industry, such as retail, insurance or health care.
Suitable post-secondary programs are offered across Alberta. For information, see the Marketing Manager occupational profile.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives work at ad agencies and in the advertising departments of large companies.
Most account executives start their careers in junior positions. Advancement usually means dealing with higher-profile clients and bigger campaigns. In agencies, successful account executives may move up to account manager, supervisor or 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:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services [pdf]
- Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction [pdf]
- Public Administration [pdf]
- Wholesale Trade [pdf]
- Transportation and Warehousing [pdf]
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industries listed above
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
- Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
- Size of the occupation
In Alberta, the B022: Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.6% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 234 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Advertising account executives may be paid a salary or work on a contract basis.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $46.15 | $28.73 | $27.18 |
| Overall | $17.50 | $70.05 | $36.24 | $31.79 |
| Top | $20.00 | $128.21 | $46.68 | $36.58 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $129,304 |
|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | $103,575 |
| Public Administration | $85,162 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $77,259 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $69,165 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $67,702 |
| Construction | $64,092 |
| Educational Services | $62,763 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $61,585 |
| Manufacturing | $60,815 |
| Wholesale Trade | $59,232 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $52,724 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $51,257 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $50,269 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $48,986 |
| Retail Trade | $48,448 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
48%
48%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
14%
14%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA) website: acaweb.ca
Institute of Communication Agencies website: theica.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.
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