<p>After submitting many threads regarding advertising and speaking to people in the field, the feeling I most get is that if you're okay with making a crappy salary to begin with then do it. (that's not the exact phrasing but its my summary) my question, to you parents who would know, how long does it generally take to start making a decent salary in advertising. Now I know this could be determined on many different levels such as location, place of employment, etc so I just would like a general answer. For example "5 years"</p>
<p>As for location, most likely in California, where I plan to attend college and remain afterward. </p>
<p>Sorry if this was a messy post but I really need some clarity on this. Thank you all!!</p>
<p>As with many careers, it depends on your abilities and your connections. In my brief (i.e., 3 years) in advertising I knew people in their late twenties who were doing very well, and people in their late forties who weren't. But if you like fun, fast-paced, high pressure work and REALLY enjoy persuading people I'd recommend giving it a shot. JMHO.</p>
<p>I spent 15 years in agencies, after 5 years and a couple company jumps I was earning pretty much what most my firends were earning in other fields and my agency at the time was paying 50% of my MBA, but it does cap off, too, after about 10-15 years unless you are a commissoned account executive or something like that - but by that point many have moved from the agency business to corporate communications, product marketing, brand management etc. with companies where the payscale continues to move upward or many of the die-hard agency folks have started their own agencies or become partners, etc.</p>
<p>Silly question, momofthreeboys (and please forgive the hijack), but what's the difference between "advertising" and "marketing"? Or is there one?</p>
<p>Advertising is a component of marketing in that advertising is in the broadest sense the vehicle by which a company communicates with it's customer paid e.g. advertising or unpaid in some cases. Marketing is the planning and implementation of business strategies to advance sales (is the best way I can describe it.) A good "marketing plan" will almost always have an advertising plan as a strategy and tactic. "Some" positions in advertising agencies blur the lines. For example in many agencies there are brand specialists and account execs that give marketing advice to the customer and are heavily involved with the customer's marketing staff. Other positions such as design, copywriting, broadcast production, media planning etc. are strictly activities associated with advertising. In companies the lines blur also as some companies may have Marketing strictly aligned with sales and very little responsibility for "communications" activities or Marketing may include communications activities such as advertising, etc. To further confuse you sometimes "Marketing" type people tend to have resumes that tilt toward sales strategy and "Advertising" type people tend to have resumes that tilt stronger toward communications. Good practioners of both are strategic thinkers. More companies hire marketing folks than "advertising folks" as advertising support is easily contracted. Some companies call their sales force "marketing". Some companies have "in house" advertising services separate from Marketing or reporting to Marketing depending on the size and scope of the company. I used to teach Advertising 101 and Marketing 101 at a local college and I still confuse myself sometimes.</p>
<p>Eyebeg2differ......the answer to your question depends on how "good" you are. If you are really, really, good you'll make money quickly. If you are just above average the financial ascent is slower. it's abit of a conundrum because if you go to the hot creative cities the competition is fierce, but you will build a better portfolio, lean alot and make less money (supply and demand). If you go to a mid-level city the competition will be less, you will need to motivate yourself to build a better portfolio, dollar for dollar you might make a tiny bit more than in the "hot market" but you will also top out alot faster in salary range. Absolutely make sure you have an internship or get some time in an agency so you understand all the different jobs. The skill sets are entirely different for each department and functional area in an ad agency. Get on-line for Adweek or Ad Age to see what the starting salaries are these days by region - I've been out of the ad game for too long now spout salary info.</p>
<p>Next question - Do you want to be an art director or a writer?</p>
<p>If you choose art director then that involves a much more specific route whereas if you want to be a writer then you probably have a lot more options.</p>
<p>Thanks, mom. Now one more question (and again my apologies): My d wants - at the moment - to go into marketing. She's majoring in psychology with a minor in media studies. Is this a good route?</p>
<p>This is an opinion...most people that I know in the industry did not major in marketing or "advertising". As an example, I majored in political science and my capstone project was focused on television and political campaigns. I interned at an advertising agency and was interested in political advertising and politics...because of the years every pivotal point in my life was a "non election year". I loved the agency that I interned at and that led to advertising in general and politics as a hobby. Most of my co-workers came to advertising via "liberal arts" type backgrounds and are by nature inquisitive type learner people. Most like to write and are good communicators. Most entered through an "assistant" route: assistant account executive, assistant marketing manager, assistant media buyer and the ever present "project managers" - generalist extrodinaires. We have an intern this summer who just finished his MBA and is interning as a "marketing assistant". He's doing alot of data mining and he'll be writing up reports....psychology and media studies sound like a nice combo. There are also market strategist, futurists, consumer research folks, market analysts, strategic planning and such that all have a strong psychology component and are inherent in the "marketing" scope. The nice thing about "marketing" as opposed to "advertising" is that with marketing you can find an industry of interest, then focus on finding that first job. Honestly Procter & Gamble even after all these years is still perceived as the "best education" in marketing. People still "ooh" and "aaah" when they see a resume with Procter & Gamble on it. And finally, almost everyone in marketing will need an MBA at some point to keep moving up, but many "let the company" pay for it if they find a decent company and job with a BA. The buzz words skill set for entry level marketing is good project management, good communication, attention to detail. Some of the colleges have "marketing" teams that compete, when I was in undergraduate we paried up with the SBA and had to work with a start-up company that was receiving a SBA loan...those types of things help differentiate a resume and help "spin the sale" so to speak. Marketing is all about sales so the really tough interview as a young person iis with the person who expects you to "sell yourself" LOL.</p>
<p>Excellent posts, momof3boys. I particularly agree that majoring in marketing or advertising isn't necessary. Are you a former P&G-er? I worked for many years for a peer consumer packaged goods company that was also known for providing an excellent "education" in marketing.</p>
<p>No I never worked for P&G but had many friends who got their starts with P&G. I just find it interesting that P&G is still after all these years, a benchmark company for "good marketing" education.</p>