How to Be an Account Executive at an Ad Agency

The job of an Account Executive at an advertising agency is simple if you do these five things. It's not easy; but it is simple.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A job as an Account Executive at an advertising agency or its equivalent creative services organization
• The desire to focus on what's important

1. Do what you can at your level to contribute Help Get Great Creative Work
   No matter what your level in the account group, your main job is to help the agency develop great creative work that sells product and that you can be proud of. At the junior levels, just asking the creative people what support they need or help you can provide them. At the more senior levels, you might contribute to the strategy for the advertising or help sell it.
2. If they like it, they should support it Get the Client to Spend Against the Great Work
   Once you have the great ad or campaign, get the client to spend money on it. This is how an ad agency makes money and it also is a self fulfilling cycle. The client will sell more product producing more money with which to support the advertising.
3. Attract good people Attract and Retain Good People
   This applies more to the account people higher up on the hiring decision. But upgrading people on your account adds directly to how well the account does. And once you have good people, retaining them is just as important.
4. Strengthen ties to the client Forge Strong Client Relationships
   Become passionate about your client's products and learn to walk in their shoes. Learn their business inside out and they will value your contributions.
5. Don't forget to have some fun Have Fun
   The advertising business is hard work and offers plenty of stress. But you need to be able to have a laugh or two to keep your balance and to project a sense of fun to your colleagues. After all, it's not rocket science.