Explore careers

Useful experience for advertising specialists includes:

• work in radio, television or news
• work as a graphic designer
• business management
• sales and marketing
• public relations.

Advertising specialists may do some or all of the following:

• liaise between the client and the advertising agency
• brief the creative team (who create the visual concepts) on advertising campaigns
• develop creative concepts that fit the client's brief
• present campaign ideas back to the client
• develop media plans for campaigns
• prepare media budgets
• reserve and book media spaces for advertising
• co-ordinate the day-to-day campaign work
  
• ensure work is delivered on time and on budget
• monitor media and campaign progress and report back to the client.

High competition for advertising specialist roles 

There is high competition for advertising specialist jobs due to limited vacancies and a moderate staff turnover rate. Advertising specialists usually start in entry level-roles and work their way up.

According to the Census, 1,665 advertising specialists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Finding advertising specialist work

You can approach agencies directly to enquire about available work. If you are a graduate, you can increase your chances of securing advertising specialist work by doing internships or relevant voluntary work. 

Commercial Communications Council graduate programme

The Commercial Communications Council runs an annual graduate programme that employs recent graduates wanting to enter the advertising industry. The types of roles available cover the different areas of advertising.

• Commercial Communications Council website - information about the graduate programme

Most advertising specialists work for agencies

Most advertising specialists work for advertising agencies. Agencies range from small businesses to large companies that may employ more than 200 people. Advertising specialists can also work for media companies.

Commercial Communications Council

(09) 303 0435 - office@commscouncil.nz - www.commscouncil.nz

New Zealand Marketing Association

(09) 361 7760 - marketing@marketing.org.nz - www.marketing.org.nz

Advertising specialists may progress into managerial roles or related positions in marketing, communications or sales.

They may also become copywriters or artistic directors.

• Artistic director job information
• Communications professional job information
• Copywriter job information
• Marketing specialist job information
• Sales and marketing manager job information

Advertising specialists may specialise in a number of roles including:

Advertising art director

Advertising art directors give direction for all visual aspects of an advertising campaign.

Account management

Account managers are the client's representative within the advertising agency and the agency's representative for the client.

Media planning or buying

Media planners and buyers negotiate deals with television, radio, print, or digital for efficient delivery of advertising messages.

Producer

Producers coordinate and oversee the production of TV, radio, print and digital campaigns.

Advertising specialists need to be:

• creative
• excellent communicators
• observant, with an eye for detail
• good listeners and negotiators
• analytical
• highly organised with strong time management and planning skills.