What Does It Take To Become An Ad Manager?

Most advertising professionals enjoy the work they do, because the excitement of developing strategies for com­peting in a tough marketplace, the challenge of creating breakthrough communications, and the satisfaction of seeing the final ad in print or on television offer great re­ward indeed. And the gratification of being involved in a glamorous end of the business world can be combined with high earnings, too - often enough, while the advertising practitioner is still quite young. Since personal talent and ability are so crucial for the business of advertising, the rigid seniority system found in the industries is uncom­mon.

The ad manager's various roles call for a person with a high degree of advertising expertise and professionalism. Some qualities that tend to make successful ad managers are sales ability, enough sophistication to view a proposed campaign and make a skilled appraisal of its likelihood of success, sound planning and managerial skills, quantitative ability, a keen understanding of all marketing functions, and a personal flair for diplomacy. Some traits usually as­sociated with LESS successful advertising managers are per­sonal insecurity, reflected in arbitrary martinet-type deci­sion making or even worse, a willingness to change direction with every corporate whim; and a need to claim all the credit for advertising successes (though a lot of other people helped, and everyone knows it) and blame the "dumb agency" for every problem. In other words, an ef­fective ad manager must be able to determine what kind of advertising will work for the company and know where to take a stand on it.

The survey was made to find out, among other things, what professionals really thought it takes to be successful in advertising and what advice they would give to young people seeking an advertising career. There is a prevalent feeling that the future lies not with the marketing/communications expert, well versed in all aspects of this very varied field. But the most important attributes for a successful ad man are initiative and aptitude for planning campaign strategy ... and writing courses are the best subject you can take.

What other qualities, knowledge, skills are necessary for an ad manager to be a success? Defend your point of view.

Meetings As Manager’s Activities

Meeting is an essential part of manager's work. They are held for three main reasons: 1) to carry out training, 2) to transmit information, 3) to solve a problem.

Read the following recommendations and try to follow them in your life.

Before you call the meeting:

-Decide if the meeting is the best method of achieving the objective;

- Put the objective in writing;

- Collect all the information necessary;

- Select specific items for discussion;

- Anticipate difficulties, awkward members and prepare documents and courses of notion to overcome the difficul­ties expected;

- Prepare the agendas with more than 5 objectives.

During the meeting:

- state the purpose of the meeting

- outline the objectives it is hoped to achieve

- do not impose your views on the group

- direct discussion toward the objectives

- develop participation by contrasting different viewpoints

- watch the clock and note reaction of members who ap­pear to be losing interest

- where opinion is divided a vote is to be taken.

After the meeting:

- the secretary of the meeting prepares "minutes"

- minutes must be an accurate account of the substance of the meeting. No opinions, no discussions, no irrelevant talk. They should be brief.

- minutes should follow the agenda of the meeting.