Advertising consultants are responsible for generating revenue by advising clients on how to best advertise their product or service within specified budgetary restrictions. They must be able to provide creative advertising solutions based on a thorough understanding of the client’s needs, goals and specific sales objectives.

Tasks:

1. Ensure satisfaction by responding quickly and accurately to problems, concerns or needs of the customers.
2. Participate in the local Associations and attend necessary industry events and meetings. Leverage these relationships to maximize revenue opportunities.
3. Ensure billed revenue is collected within designated time frame.
4. Consult and expand relationships with customer or prospect to reach a broad cross section of the business.
5. Establish a service call plan for all customers.
6. Manage and grow the effective retail rates.
7. Up sell customers with new products and services.
8. Maintain a high level of customer service through training and customer support.
9. Manage and monitor all contracts, as well as accounts receivable.

Key skills for advertising consultant:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Time management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Critical thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Average salary (2013):

The United Kingdom: £23,739 per year
The United States of America: $58,182 per year
Australia: AU$69,100 per year

Qualifications and training required:

The education for aspiring advertising professionals begins with a bachelor's degree (www.bls.gov). While a four-year degree is not required for all entry-level positions that lead to advertising management roles, a relevant degree may help management applicants distinguish themselves from candidates with similar experience. Graduate education is also not a requirement for advertising management or consulting jobs, but it can provide helpful preparation.