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Advertising Director: Education and Job Training Requirements for Becoming an Advertising Director

Published Sep 24, 2009

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Advertising directors are the brains behind ads that are created and published each day. It is their responsibility to produce advertising campaigns that persuade and generate consumer action or purchases that increase revenue for a specific brand. Many advertising directors have bachelor's degrees in advertising and strong, practical work experiences.

Advertising Director Career Summary

Advertising directors manage, direct and execute advertising programs, search engine optimization strategies, direct online advertising programs, search advertising campaigns and direct mail or email campaigns. Advertising directors are also responsible for locating and closing advertising deals that increase revenue. They work closely with other advertising managers to ensure strategic goals are being achieved.

The most successful have refined project management skills, excellent written and oral communication skills and savvy brand management techniques. Advertising directors work for advertising agencies, public relation firms, major corporations, print and online publications, broadcasting agencies and online marketing companies.

Education Required to Become an Advertising Director

Most advertising directors hold a bachelor's degree in advertising, mass communication, marketing or public relations. Strong internships and work experience in advertising or a related field is vital for employment at top firms. A bachelor's degree program in advertising covers advertising copywriting, advertising and promotion, English, digital photography, direct marketing, graphic design, journalism, publicity and mass communication. Semester-long, hands-on internships complete many bachelor's degree programs in advertising.

Job Training and Certifications Required to Become an Advertising Director

Advertising degree programs often require one or two semesters of an internship that conclude a student's formal education in advertising. These supervised work-related experiences occur in cooperating local advertising agencies, public relations businesses or marketing firms. Although there is no required license or certification to practice advertising, the Public Relations Society of America, which is the primary professional society associated with advertising directors and other public relations professionals, offers an Accredited in Pubic Relations (APR) designation. This lifetime credential documents a professional's ability and competency to practice public relations and advertising.

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