Advertising director

Advertising director - overview

As an advertising director, you’ll use your visual knowhow and creative flair to produce ideas for advertising campaigns in a range of media like digital, press and for cinema. Learn more about a career in advertising, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Learn what the role involves below.

What does an advertising director do?

As an advertising director, you’ll manage campaigns that promote a brand, product, or business.

You’ll come up with concepts and pitch your ideas to the client and the rest of the creative team. You’ll usually communicate these ideas visually, by producing storyboards for a television campaign or roughs for prints for example.

You’ll probably work with a copywriter and commission other creatives like photographers, artists, or film makers to bring your ideas to life. You’ll also be responsible for finding locations for potential shoots.

As well as working well in a team, you’ll need a good understanding of target audience you’re aiming an advert at.

The world of advertising is very competitive, with many deadlines to keep to, but it can be an exciting job using your creative storytelling abilities.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

Conceiving advertising campaign to impart the desired product image in an effective and economical way
Defining target audience and implementing strategy through appropriate media planning work
Staying up to date with changes in media, readership or viewing figures and advertising rates
Reviewing and revising campaign strategy considering sales figures, surveys, etc. and taking appropriate corrective measures if necessary
Liaising with clients to discuss product/service to be marketed and developing the most appropriate strategy to deliver the objectives
Managing budgets

FAQs

How much can you earn as an advertising director?

The average salary for an advertising director in the UK is £69,160. Graduates start at around £33,500.

Does an advertising director role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

As an advertising director you’ll travel to an office, to visit clients and to filming locations. Overseas travel is less likely but may be needed occasionally for specific projects.