Advertising account executive: Job description

Advertising account executives work within advertising or multi-service agencies, acting as a link between clients and the agency. They are responsible for liaising between the client and other agency staff to coordinate advertising campaigns.

Advertising account executives liaise closely with their clients throughout campaigns, often on a daily basis. They manage administrative and campaign work, ensuring that this is all completed on time and on budget.

The role can involve handling up to four client accounts or, in larger agencies, just one or two accounts.

Advertising account executives usually report to an account manager.

Typical work activities

Advertising account executives contribute to and develop advertising campaigns. Tasks typically involve:

• meeting and liaising with clients to discuss and identify their advertising requirements;
• working with agency colleagues to devise an advertising campaign that meets the client's brief and budget;
• presenting, alongside agency colleagues (particularly the account manager), the campaign ideas and budget to the client;
• working with the account manager to brief media, creative and research staff, and assisting with the formulation of marketing strategies;
• liaising with, and acting as the link between, the client and advertising agency by maintaining regular contact with both, ensuring that communication flows effectively;
• negotiating with clients and agency staff about the details of campaigns;
• presenting creative work to clients for approval or modification;
• handling budgets, managing campaign costs and invoicing clients;
• writing client reports;
• monitoring the effectiveness of campaigns;
• undertaking administration tasks;
• arranging and attending meetings;
• making 'pitches', along with other agency staff, to try to win new business for the agency.