Advertising people handle concepts - In simplistic terms, they create ads, which help sell/market an idea or product.

Broadly speaking, an ad agency has two main work streams you can choose and pick from:

1. Client Servicing / Media Planning –

People who interact with the Client / industry and are an interface between them and the agency.

(A) The Job -

1.) Researching the client's product/service and the client's business methods

2.) Meeting the creative media and marketing divisions and the client to identify the USP of the product and its positioning vis-à-vis other competing brands

3.) Preparation of the 'brief' – with recommendations from the client

4.) Holding discussions over the brief and the budget of the campaign

5.) Coordination between the client and the team in charge of the ad campaign.

(B) Personality Traits –

1.) Excellent communication skills

2.) Team-Worker

3.) Ability to work under pressure & deadlines

4.) Lucid style of writing

5.) Sensitivity and awareness of consumer behaviour & trends

(C) Salaries -

1.) Account Executive – Starting Position. Approx 4 Lacs per annum after a PG degree in Media / Advertising / Mass Communications or an MBA

2.) Branch Head – Report to CEO. Approx. 25 – 30 lacs per annum.

(D) Study Routes -

The job requires a postgraduate degree or diploma in business administration (MBA) / communication management /advertising /media management / mass communications. (PREFERRED OPTION)

Sample PG Degrees in Advertising –

1.) Indian Institute of Mass Communication, JNU Campus, New Delhi 110067

Diploma in Advertising

2.) Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Mehta Sadan, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001

Diploma in Advertising, Photography

3.) Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi

Diploma in Advertising and Photography

4.) Wigan & Leigh College, 401-402 Skipper Corner, 88 Nehru Place, New Delhi

Postgraduate diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communication

5.) Delhi School of Communication, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

PG Diploma in Advertising

6.) PG Diploma in Marketing Communications Management.

7.) Bhavan's College of Communication and Management, Mumbai 400007 Diploma in Advertising, Photography

8.) Sophia BKS Polytechnic, Pedder Road, Mumbai 400026 Diploma in Advertising

9.) Xaviers Institute of Communications, Mumbai Diploma in Advertising

10.) Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, VL Mehta Road, Ville Parle, Mumbai PG Diploma in Advertising and Communication

After Class XII, one can opt for graduation in behavioral science / a commerce option/ an integrated graduate course in advertising or any other subject.

Following List of Advertising Courses for Getting Degrees.

1.) Manipur University, Canchipur , Imphal 795003.

2.) University of Calcutta, Senate House 87/1 College Street, Calcutta700073.

3.) University of Delhi, Delhi-110021.

4.) University of Mumbai, MG road, Fort, Mumbai 400032.

5.) University of Poona, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007.

6.) University of Madras, Centenary Buildings, Chepauk, Triplicane, PO Chennai 600005.

7.) Osmania University, Administrative Building, Hyderabad-500007.

(E) Prospects –

1.) Advertising Agencies, Marketing Divisions of Companies / Service industry, Market Research Companies

2.) Best Companies include – Lintas, HTA, Ogilvy & Mather (O&M), ORG Marg, American Blackstone, HLL, P&G, Nestle etc.

2. Creative Division -

Are people who visualize and conceptualise an ad, including the copywriters, art directors, designers and illustrators.

The Job -

1.) Responsible for creatively visualizing, designing and illustrating the ad

2.) Coming up with the copy of an Ad.

3.) Working on the brief given by the Client Servicing division and Client to envision and realize the ad.

4.) Understanding the target audience & creating messages that correctly portray the product

5.) Briefing the production team on the ad and details to ensure realization of the ad as per specifications.

To know more about other relevant information about Career in Advertising, read the Second Part (2) of this article.