Advertising art director : Employers and vacancy sources

The majority of advertising art directors are employed directly by advertising agencies. The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)  has a comprehensive list of all advertising agencies affiliated to them.

Traditionally, there have been two different types of agencies:

• 'above-the-line' (ATL) agencies, which usually deal with television, radio, posters and the press;
• 'below-the-line' (BTL) agencies, which focus on direct mail, point of purchase, leaflets, etc.

The industry is constantly evolving however, as agencies need to respond to clients’ changing needs and budgets. The current trend is towards combining the services, with a move towards fully integrated 'through-the-line' agencies.

Other employers of advertising art directors are some large companies that have specialist creative teams working in-house on their campaigns.

More established advertising art directors may opt to work on a freelance basis. The ability to do this will very much depend on your reputation and on having excellent contacts within the industry.

Sources of vacancies

• NABS  - has careers consultants who can offer free advice on your book and how to target agencies.
• The Talent Business  - is a recruitment agency that produces graduate resources and offers book advice.
• Design & Art Direction (D&AD)  - has The Graduate Academy, which is run in conjunction with HP, and which will train 100 of the ‘brightest new talent’ and then offer the top 50 candidates paid placements at 50 of the UK’s leading creative organisations.
• Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)  - have vacancies on their website and a list of agencies.
• Advocate Art  - will showcase your work on their website.
• YCN  - is a good networking tool.

Many agencies advertise jobs on their websites. Specialist recruitment agencies that handle opportunities for junior, middleweight and senior creatives include:

• Liz Harold & Grime Ltd  
• Major Players   

Other vacancy sources are:

• Mad  
• Design Week  
• Brand Republic Jobs  
• The Drum  - for jobs throughout the UK but especially in Scotland.

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