Job Responsibilities
Account Service positions have a broad range of responsibilities and functions.
Account Executives and Supervisors are usually assigned to specific account(s)
depending on the size and nature of the account. An Account Supervisor is the
primary contact to the client as a liasion for the agency and a partner in
reaching
the client's goals and objectives. In my case, I work in direct marketing. I
work with the client and other agency departments to develop a strategy and
execution of the marketing plan. This is probably 50% of my job. The next biggest
slice time is spent managing the Direct Marketing department (9 employees) and
making sure logistics of the program are solid and smooth. In my particular
client's case, we mail over 1,000 unique versions of direct mail per month. This
could be as many as 5 unique pieces
of creative and other versions relate to variables in pricing, target audience,
etc. I would estimate 30% of my time is spent in this capacity. The remaining 20%
is dedicated to managing the budget and costs of the program. I also approve all
billing to the client.
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Job Requirements
I am a rather unique case educationally. I actually obtained my first job in an
agency as an accounting clerk at age 18. At the time, I was in technical school
pursuing a computer programming degree. I loved working at the agency and with
numbers so much, I decided to pursue a career in advertising. Once my foot was in
the door, I did not waste any opportunity to learn everything possible or
available to me. For me, this meant performing every
job in accounting and taking on extra responsibilites in
technical aspects of accounting (learning all about the software and hardware
used for advertising financials). Working in accounting exposed me to all
departments and positiions in the agency. I stayed with the same agency 15 years
and made a switch to account service at that time. I became an Account Supervisor
within 9 months of my transition.
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Uppers
Definitely the broad range of responsibilities and the opportunity to work with
all types of people and industries. Research is very necessary in any advertising
plan. You could be researching pesticides for one account and ice cream for
another! I have also enjoyed opportunities to travel.
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Downers
Working with very difficult people. Clients can be unreasonable, demanding,
horrible communicators and even demeaning at times. It is an absolute necessity
to have very good people skills to deal with all sorts of people. Thick skin
doesn't hurt.
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Lifestyle
In an agency, you will have extreme variations of people. For instance, in media
you will usually find very detailed and "serious" employees. In creative, you
will find more eccentric employees. The dress code usually follows suit (pardon
the pun). Account Service staff exposed to clients are more professionally
dressed and creative staff could wear anything from Bermuda shorts to a mini
skirt with black knee boots.
Work hours vary with client activity. A lot of late nights occur when a big
presentation is coming up.
My primary client is in Atlanta and I in Birmingham. I travel over to the client
every Tuesday for status meetings and to take the client to lunch! Client
relations are very important!
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Compensation
I started out making minimum wage in accounting. From that time on, I steadily
increased my income through promotions and a lot of negotiations to $100K.
Remember, I do not have a degree!
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Advice to Jobseekers
Be ready and WILLING to start at rock bottom. When your foot is in the door,
don't waste any time in learning and becoming proficient at whatever you do. Take
every single opportunity to get involved in other work when possible. Learn,
learn, learn.
The advertising industry has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. I
expect that trend to continue based on media habits of target audiences as well
as the vast additions of communication devices and exposure to marketing. I would
not be surprised if the full service agency begins to diminish as smaller "hip"
and "edgy" shops emerge with specialty services.
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