Advertising

Those who want to combine their creative mind with a nose for business are often well suited to the world of advertising. General aspects such as brainstorming, constructing various statistical researches and dreaming up wild and wacky ways of how to sell information or a product make the job interesting and rewarding to those who have a flair for it…

Current Climate
There’s always plenty of room for talent in advertising; the only problem arises in finding an outlet that will allow the expression of it. Many agencies offer internships meaning income will be low or non-existent but the invaluable experience will be an investment that will pay out extensive returns. It is worth noting that networking is an essential part of any employee’s life; possessing an impressive contacts book will cement your success; it can be a case of who you know rather than what.

Know Your Place
Account Executive: Is the link between client and agency. He/she briefs the agency personnel on the client's requirements and co-ordinates the efforts of the entire agency staff; presents proposals to the client and supervises the launching and progress of the advertising campaign.

Copy/Scriptwriters: Produce the concepts and copy for advertisements.

Art Directors (Visualisers): Design the advertisement, posters, display items and packaging to present the product in the most appealing way.

Typographers: Specify the type print to be used for advertisements and printed matter.

Artists: Prepare the final artwork, graphics and illustrations, etc, from which advertisements are produced.

Producers: Ensure that scripts and ideas for television, radio and cinema are made into effective commercials.

Marketing Executives: Provide, through discussion, analysis and desk and field research, the information concerning the consumer that enables the agency to plan an effective campaign.

Media Planners: Select the appropriate media that will give maximum coverage and frequency at minimum cost.

Space and Time Buyers: Book the space or time required in the selected media.

Show Me The Money
Salaries aren’t typically very high for people starting off in advertising. Great emphasis is placed on proving yourself and building up an impressive portfolio of work. Income also depends on your role within the company. Junior Art Directors and Copywriters will start off in the region of €21,000 which rises with experience and expertise. The highest starting off wage in advertising is that of the Salesperson who can expect to earn circa €30,000 to €40,000 at first; established professionals in advertising can expect rewards of over €80,000 although this is at the high end of the scale.

Top Tip
Look into developing a portfolio. Ask yourself if you were involved in anything that could be construed as advertising; this can consist of anything from organising an election campaign in college to selling the biscuits you made in primary school around the neighbourhood. Showing initiative is key.

Further Resources
The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI)
8 Upper Fitzwilliam Street 
Dublin 2 
Phone: 01 676 5991 
Email: aisling@iapi.com

The Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) 
IPC House,
35/39 Shelbourne Road,
Dublin 4
Phone: 01 6608766
EMail: standards@asai.ie