Obtaining an MBA degree in Marketing and Advertising has many distinct benefits. Before deciding on this path, it's important to find out what kind of career options are available after the completion of this type of degree. Luckily, this career track opens up a variety of fascinating employment opportunities.
Marketing and Advertising Career Track
If you’re looking to transition in to a new career in marketing, a one year online MBA program can get you there more quickly than a traditional program. That means you will gain the same knowledge you need from a traditional two year program, but you can start building your experience sooner.
Researching Markets
Information about consumer markets is of great value to organizations. A company with a strong sense of who their customers are, and what they need, is ahead of the game when it comes to the delivery of their products. The techniques that market researchers use to gain understanding of their specific client needs include distributing marketing surveys and conducting focus groups and interviews to test products with your target market. It’s important to have knowledge of proper research techniques and the ability to collect and analyze data to succeed in this profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession has an excellent employment outlook: employment of market research analysts is expected to grow 32 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those with a master’s degree.
Developing Marketing Strategies
Gathering information about the target market for your business is only useful if the data is used to inform your marketing strategies. A market strategist decides on the best channels for reaching desired customers (television, web, social media, physical media) and the core messages to communicate. They also work with media and advertising professionals to create visual components that complement the overall strategy. Strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to put data to work are crucial for success in this field.
It should be noted that with the rise of digital media, these traditional titles have changed quite a bit in job functionality. Now more than ever before there is a focus on digital marketing creating new job titles and career paths. Traditional media planning has given way to email marketers and communication skills must be honed for the decreasing attention span across the country. Internet marketing encompasses the fields of search engine optimization, content marketing, digital advertising, email campaigns, and marketing automation.
Implementation of Marketing Plans
Once the marketing strategy has been developed, it is then up to in-house or agency marketing and advertising professionals to take the reins and turn plans into something that consumers can see, hear, and touch.
Working for an Advertising Agency
The American Association of Advertising Agencies has a comprehensive list of jobs that are common among various agencies. These include positions traditionally filled by individuals with MBAs in advertising, such as project managers or account directors. Unlike similar jobs in this industry, working for an advertising agency means that employees frequently create campaigns for a variety of different brands.
Working as an In-House Advertising Specialist
A good number of companies prefer to have professionals in-house to handle some or all of their advertising needs. If working for a startup or small business, you might be requested to fill several roles at once; your degree will provide you with the knowledge to apply your marketing and advertising knowledge to this role. If working for a large company that has a dedicated advertising department, you’ll perform many functions that are similar to those in an advertising agency job, but you’ll dedicate time to one brand instead of multiple ones.
Along with emphasizing ethical business practices, the University of Saint Mary online teaches critical thinking, and encourages students to consider how decisions affect their colleagues and their company's place in the world of global business. For those interested in pursuing an online MBA degree, the school is grounded in the liberal arts tradition of providing students with the strong leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills required to thrive in the workplace.