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Advertising account executive

Alternative titles for this job include Account handler, client services executive

Advertising account executives manage clients for an advertising agency.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an advertising account executive

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You can get into advertising with a degree in any subject.

Some employers may prefer it if you have a degree in a subject like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • statistics or operational research
  • communication and media studies
  • business or management
  • psychology

With your degree you can apply for graduate training schemes in advertising companies.

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

There is no set route to become an advertising account executive.

You might find it useful to do a Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job by doing an advertising and media executive advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to start in a junior position at a small advertising agency in a position like admin assistant.

You can then work your way up as your experience in advertising grows.

Volunteering

Experience will help you understand advertising and allow you to meet new people who may help you find paid work.

You could try:

  • work experience
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

You could contact agencies directly to ask about volunteering opportunities. You could also make contacts on social networking sites like Twitter or LinkedIn.

Other Routes

You could take the advertising Foundation Certificate to get some of the skills you need to get a paid job in advertising.

The course is offered by by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and is open to anyone with less than one year of experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role.

More Information

Career tips

It's a good idea to have a presence on social networking sites. You could also show your creative and communication skills to employers through your own blog or website.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising to find training opportunities and make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in advertising from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to sell products and services
  • customer service skills
  • persistence and determination
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • meet with clients to discuss their needs
  • present ideas and how much it costs to clients
  • explain what the client needs to the creative team
  • check and report on an ad campaign's progress
  • keep in contact with the client at all stages of an ad campaign
  • manage budgets and send bills to the client
  • try to find new business for the agency

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Audience Apprentice

  • Wage: £26,000.00 Annually
  • Location: London

Media Apprentice

  • Wage: £17,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Highlands Road, Solihull, West Midlands

Courses In England

Marketing

  • Provider: HAVANT AND SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2024
  • Location: Havant

BTEC Marketing

  • Provider: KINVER HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
  • Start date: 04 September 2024
  • Location: Stourbridge

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