Marketing jobs are available in just about every sector of business. Professionals in this role specialise in understanding what the market needs, and design, plan and execute advertising campaigns to achieve profitable results of the company. For instance, think about how differently you would market a new lipstick range or a new car.
Because of the need to develop innovative ideas, marketing executives are usually creatives with effective analytical, interpersonal and decision-making skills. At times, they may be required to conduct market research to determine the potential demand for goods and services, further analysing sales data to form pricing strategies and achieve business goals.
What does a Marketing Executive do?
A career in marketing opens the door to a diverse range of duties. Let’s take a look at what some of these are:
Build brand awareness
One of the most important aspects of the role is to create brand awareness. You will help with marketing plans, advertising campaigns, direct email marketing projects and feedback sessions.
Content marketing
Working closely with in-house or external creative agencies, marketing executives help design marketing materials and press packs to promote the organisation. Knowing how to write and proofread copy for online and print campaigns are crucial, along with producing collaterals and utilising social media channels for campaigns.
Event management
Organising events, such as product launches, photo shoots and press functions, are likely among the duties and responsibilities.
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Developing relationships with key stakeholders
Marketing executives must evaluate and review marketing trends, campaigns, advertisements, and SEO to make sure they’re using the right mediums.
Track performance
Tracking marketing performance and ROI for reporting to senior management, and monitoring of competitor activities will be required in the role. Marketing executives will also need to manage marketing budgets and be aware of trends.
Manage external agencies
At times, the marketing team may engage and lead external agencies, such as PR firms, external marketing agency or ad agencies, to effectively manage events and press relations, editorial requests, presentations and promotions, and online activities.
Qualities that make a good Marketing Executive
There are a number of marketing skills that will help you to become an excellent marketing executive. They include:
Soft skills
- Good eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and organisational skills
- People skills to get on well with others, and work effectively with customers, clients, marketing assistants and other colleagues
- Flexibility
Functional skills
- Passion for matching the right buyers to the right products
- Sound knowledge of the company’s products and services
- Degree in marketing is an advantage, but not always a formal requirement
- Good understanding of finance within a marketing sphere, and ability to interact well with senior marketers
- Affinity for strategic thinking and taking a methodical and analytical approach
- Understanding of various marketing initiatives
What does the career path of a Marketing Executive consist of?
A marketing career offers a number of branches and tributaries. First jobs for those in marketing often centre on sales or customer service, or possibly in field marketing.
The career path for specialists tends to go from entry-level up to senior marketing executive, marketing manager, marketing director, digital marketing director, chief marketing officer and VP of marketing.
Skills that are collected along the way can help with career progression. Talented marketers can easily switch from one sector of industry to another and from company to company. Additionally, the average salary will increase the further you can go up the career ladder.
This article is contributed by Michael Page.
