What is Advertising?
Advertising is how a company encourages people to buy their products, services or ideas. It is usually designed by an advertising agency for a sponsor or brand and made public by various media.
An advertisement (often shortened to advert or ad) is the promotion of a product, brand or service to a viewership in order to attract interest, engagement and sales. Advertisements come in many forms, from copy to interactive video, and have evolved to become a crucial feature of the app marketplace. Advertisements appear on television, radio, newspapers, magazines and billboards in streets and cities.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Advertising courses in the following subject areas:
- Advertising Course – Gain the skills you need to succeed in marketing and advertising.
- Diploma in Marketing & Advertising – Develop the key skills in areas such as copywriting and marketing communications which are widely used in sectors such as PR, branding and media.
- Digital Advertising and Google Adwords Diploma – The study of digital marketing techniques and successful online marketing campaigns.
- Advertising & Marketing Diploma – Develop the creativity, knowledge, and skills to deliver successful global campaigns, in preparation for a career in the creative industries.
- Advertising & Graphic Design – The study of design skills, visual graphics, advertising and communications.
- Advertising: Executive Stream – The study of the principles of advertising, marketing, consumer behaviour, marketing communications, advertising research, advertising media and creative and production techniques.
- Advertising & Digital Communication – Gain an understanding of the Irish Advertising Industry and the operations of a communications agency, both internally and in its business environment.
- Diploma in Marketing, Advertising, Sales & Public Relations – Gain a thorough grounding in marketing and communications methods used in the consumer, industrial and services sectors.
Studying Advertising in college
There are many Advertising courses that take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover a theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification. You could also consider work experience or job shadowing. Some larger agencies offer formal work experience or internship programmes.
As advertising is so competitive, work experience may sometimes prove difficult to secure, but any other work experience in a commercial context may be helpful. If you’re able to financially support yourself, undertaking a period of voluntary work is an alternative way of gaining valuable experience.
Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a course in Advertising you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of Advertising and Marketing.
As an advertising account executive, you’ll work within an advertising or multi-service agency, acting as a link between the agency and its clients. You’ll be responsible for the coordination of advertising campaigns and therefore communicating clearly to all those involved. You may also be known as an account handler.
Large advertising agencies are becoming increasingly international in scope. Many are part of a larger media and communications group, whose parent company may be based in another European country or in the USA so there may be a possibility to emigrate within your company.
Working hours will typically run from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. However, you’ll often be expected to start the day early or stay late in order to meet deadlines.
Although you’ll generally be office-based, travel within the working day is frequent as you’ll be expected to visit clients and may attend TV shoots, radio recordings or castings. Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel is occasionally required.
Related jobs include:
- Advertising Copywriter
- Advertising Art Director
- Advertising Account Executive
- Market researcher
- Marketing executive
- Media buyer
- Media planner
- Product manager
- Sales promotion account executive
- Public Relations Officer
Further study
After completing a course in Advertising you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as business or management, communications, English or marketing.
FAQ
Are there different types of advertising methods?
The most commonly used forms of advertising are:
- Paid search advertising
- Social media advertising
- Native advertising
- Display advertising
- Print advertising
- Broadcast advertising
- Outdoor advertising
What skills could be helpful for a career in Advertising?
One of the most important skills to have is a passion for advertising, an understanding of what makes a good advertisement and above all, a willingness to learn.
You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a proactive attitude, with the ability to use initiative and be flexible.
The ability to work under pressure and assimilate large quantities of information quickly, while maintaining You will more than likely be working within a team so effective team working skills and influencing and negotiation skills will definitely be helpful.
Oral and written communication skills and IT literacy and an awareness of how the industry is developing in light of new communication technologies will also have you starting in a good place for the industry.
Where can I study Advertising?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
- Advertisements used to be played after the movie, hence the name “trailer”
- The time dedicated to commercials per half-hour episode has more than doubled since the 1950’s.
- Toyota Altis ads featuring Brad Pitt were banned in Malaysia after the country’s deputy information minister ruled that Pitt’s handsome appearance may make Malaysian countrymen feel inferior.
- There is a limit of 12 minutes of commercials, per hour of television, in the United Kingdom.
- The Disney Channel doesn’t accept outside ads. The only commercials it airs are for its own shows and Disney products.
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