Advertising specialist
Also known as: advertising adviser, advertising consultant, advertising specialists, advertising strategist, brand specialist, advertising advisor
About this occupation
Advertising specialists provide advice to companies and organisations about the development of their advertising strategies and on advertising-related topics covering a more general strategic approach. They combine knowledge of marketing, budgets, and psychology with a creative mind to develop advertising campaigns. They propose alternatives to clients that promote their organisations, products, or projects.
Essential skills and knowledge
- give live presentation
- develop professional network
- perform market research
- develop creative ideas
- copyright legislation
- liaise with advertising agencies
- persuade clients with alternatives
- brainstorm ideas
- identify customer's needs
- advertising techniques
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Advertising and Promotions Managers (O*NET 11-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research.
- Develop communications materials, advertisements, presentations, or public relations initiatives to promote awareness of products and services.
- Develop comprehensive marketing strategies, using knowledge of products and technologies, markets, and regulations.
- Direct, motivate, and monitor the mobilization of a campaign team to advance campaign goals.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Artistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$133,660 a year (2025), 21,470 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.7)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaExtremely important (4.6)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementExtremely important (4.5)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.2)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.1)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Advertising Sales Agents
- Marketing Managers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Public Relations Specialists
- Public Relations Managers
- Sales Managers
- Fundraising Managers
- Fundraisers
- Online Merchants
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.