Advertising agencies are an indispensable element in today’s marketplace. With an estimated quarter of all purchases made online, companies rely on outside companies to help them market their products. Agencies range from small start-up firms to multinational companies. Their services can be used for everything from product promotions to the design of company advertisements. Here are some of the services offered by advertising agencies:
Media Planning
Ad Agency, also known as a marketing agency or a creative agency, is a company committed to developing, managing, and executing advertising and at times other types of marketing for the clients of the company. The goal of this function is to facilitate the preparation and execution of media plans and to assist in the monitoring of these plans. Media planning includes everything from search engine optimization to nationwide marketing and distribution strategies. The term ‘media planning’ encompasses a wide range of activities, including research to development, that focus on establishing and maintaining strong advertising programs that will meet the specific goals of a given client. This function also involves the monitoring and evaluation of media plans, evaluating potential clients, and developing new media strategies.
Creative Staff
The primary work of advertising agencies is to help their clients find creative solutions to problems and fulfill needs. The term ‘creative staff’ is sometimes used in association with this function, though. Creative staff members help their clients identify and obtain new creative ideas and solutions. These professionals often write copy or develop marketing materials and other strategies for their clients. Clients also rely heavily on the creative staff when it comes time to execute campaigns and solicit feedback from consumers. In short, creative staff is involved in everything from pitch writing to brainstorming and everything in between.
Public Relations
Many advertising agencies provide public relations and events planning services. These professionals handle everything from press releases and story planning to seminars and conventions and manage all the aspects of advertising agencies as a whole. PR professionals often collaborate closely with marketing and creative staff to make sure everything looks cohesive and coordinated. They are instrumental in keeping customers satisfied and informed about business people and their companies.
Marketing professionals at advertising agencies usually handle everything from client contact and strategy to advertising agency accounts and marketing methods. This includes managing the company’s web site, designing and maintaining print ads and marketing brochures, promotional campaigns, TV commercials, and radio spots. By putting together effective marketing campaigns, they create unique ideas for product promotion and brand identification. They are also involved in conducting market research, examining competitor operations, and helping clients develop new marketing strategies.
Education
On top of everything else, advertising agencies often hire educational professionals to help them run their businesses effectively. These professionals include special education department members, curriculum developers, marketing managers, and library specialists. Special education employees assist in training their clients, instructing them about their products and services, and assisting them with completing the legal documents necessary to start a corporation or LLC. Curriculum developers help develop and maintain a variety of school materials that will be needed by their clients and help them design courses that will teach them how to use their skills to make advertising more effective.
Finance Financers
At first glance, it might not seem like advertising agencies do much in the way of finance. However, a closer look will reveal a number of different types of jobs. Many ad agencies partner with different types of lending institutions to help them find clients and finance their projects. Lenders approve the loans and collect the payments from the lenders. Advertising agencies often consult with accountants and other financial experts to develop an effective marketing strategy that benefits the company. Ad agency managers oversee the loan process and coordinate with a wide range of different types of lending institutions to find the best financing for a client’s needs.
Marketing
The advertising agencies’ final major responsibility is to produce high-quality marketing materials that effectively advertise a company, product, or service. These materials must effectively convey the message to the targeted consumer base. Ad agencies use various media, including print, electronic media, radio, and television, to reach their consumers. While capitalized billings are used primarily to promote products and services, creative services provide ad agencies with a wonderful opportunity to enhance their marketing strategy’s creative end. Capitalized billings can be either full-page or split-screen, which allows the agency to design and produce high-quality marketing materials in several different formats.