Advertising and Promotions Manager Career

Job Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.


Is Advertising and Promotions Manager the right career path for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors!

Advertising and Promotions Manager Career

What Advertising and Promotions Managers do:

  • Confer with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as contracts, selection of advertising media, or product to be advertised.
  • 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.
  • Read trade journals and professional literature to stay informed on trends, innovations, and changes that affect media planning.
  • Direct, motivate, and monitor the mobilization of a campaign team to advance campaign goals.
  • Prepare budgets and submit estimates for program costs as part of campaign plan development.
  • Coordinate with the media to disseminate advertising.
  • Contact organizations to explain services and facilities offered.
  • Coordinate activities of departments, such as sales, graphic arts, media, finance, and research.
  • Identify and develop contacts for promotional campaigns and industry programs that meet identified buyer targets, such as dealers, distributors, or consumers.
  • Plan and execute advertising policies and strategies for organizations.
  • Monitor and analyze sales promotion results to determine cost effectiveness of promotion campaigns.
  • Track program budgets, expenses, and campaign response rates to evaluate each campaign, based on program objectives and industry norms.
  • Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products.
  • Provide presentation and product demonstration support during the introduction of new products and services to field staff and customers.
  • Prepare and negotiate advertising and sales contracts.
  • Assemble and communicate with a strong, diverse coalition of organizations or public figures, securing their cooperation, support, and action, to further campaign goals.
  • Train and direct workers engaged in developing and producing advertisements.
  • Formulate plans to extend business with established accounts and to transact business as agent for advertising accounts.
  • Manage sales team, including setting goals, providing incentives, and evaluating employee performance.
  • Direct and coordinate product research and development.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Holland Code Chart for an Advertising and Promotions Manager