Career Profile: Advertising and Promotions Managers

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 28,000 people employed as advertising and promotions managers in the United States. The median annual salary is $127,150. Entry level employees earn approximately $61,250 per year and senior employees earn approximately $208,000 (or more) per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Direct and coordinate product research and development.
• Plan and prepare advertising and promotional material to increase sales of products or services, working with customers, company officials, sales departments, and advertising agencies.
• Inspect layouts and advertising copy, and edit scripts, audio, video, and other promotional material for adherence to specifications.
• Confer with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts, selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised.
• Coordinate with the media to disseminate advertising.
• Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research.
• Plan and execute advertising policies and strategies for organizations.
• Direct, motivate, and monitor the mobilization of a campaign team to advance campaign goals.
• Prepare budgets and submit estimates for program costs as part of campaign plan development.
• Contact organizations to explain services and facilities offered.
• Monitor and analyze sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion campaigns.
• Identify and develop contacts for promotional campaigns and industry programs that meet identified buyer targets, such as dealers, distributors, or consumers.
• Track program budgets, expenses, and campaign response rates to evaluate each campaign, based on program objectives and industry norms.
• Read trade journals and professional literature to stay informed on trends, innovations, and changes that affect media planning.
• Manage sales team, including setting goals, providing incentives, and evaluating employee performance.
• Prepare and negotiate advertising and sales contracts.
• Formulate plans to extend business with established accounts and to transact business as agent for advertising accounts.
• Train and direct workers engaged in developing and producing advertisements.
• Assemble and communicate with a strong, diverse coalition of organizations or public figures, securing their cooperation, support, and action, to further campaign goals.
• Provide presentation and product demonstration support during the introduction of new products and services to field staff and customers.
• Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products.

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