OVERVIEW
What Is a Promotions Manager?
A promotions manager, also known as an advertising manager, is responsible for analyzing a company’s brand, audience, and messaging, then creating promotional strategies and marketing campaigns to successfully advertise their employer’s services or products. Promotions managers regularly collaborate with creatives in content marketing, digital marketing, social media marketing, research, and design to develop campaigns that draw attention in impactful ways. They’re experienced marketing professionals with a strong understanding of sales strategy, campaign planning, communications, and consumer psychology.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Promotions Manager Do?
As promotions managers work to analyze, evaluate, and execute promotional strategies for a company, their day-to-day duties include:
- Assessing potential promotion options.
- Creating annual promotion plans for various digital channels.
- Developing effective strategies for marketing new initiatives or programs.
- Managing good relationships between the company, vendors, and customers.
- Managing marketing budgets by closely working with accounting and finance departments.
- Developing and executing email and online marketing programs.
- Developing and executing integrated marketing activities and in-house promotions.
- Maintaining incentive and referral programs and good relationships with advertisement agencies.
- Working with third-party vendors to ensure the company achieves consistency across promotions.
- Analyzing and developing performance reports.
- Developing and launching discounts, coupons, contests, sample gifts, sweepstakes, and rebates.
- Determining the timing and duration of promotions.
- Coordinating with the team members responsible for creating and delivering advertisements.
- Approving promotional agency plans.
- Overseeing media buying.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Promotions Manager?
The first step to becoming a promotions manager is to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or advertising. Within any of these degree programs, you’ll gain essential knowledge of consumer behavior, marketing analytics, branding, content creation, and more. At this point, gaining experience with an internship or entry-level marketing or sales role will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills. Most companies require four to six years of experience before moving into promotions management. These years will give you hands-on experience in areas such as social media marketing, digital marketing, and research analysis, as well as campaign development and successful messaging. You may also consider earning a certification as a professional certified marketer (PCM) to show your commitment as a constant learner of the latest trends in marketing and enhance your hiring potential. Finally, earning a master’s degree in marketing or management and leadership will prepare you to lead a team of professionals and confidently move into the role of promotions manager.
Best Degrees for a Promotions Manager
Business
Marketing – B.S.
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Project Management
- Product Management
Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
How Much Does a Promotions Manager Make?
$127,150
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a promotions manager in the U.S. is $127,150. Income is largely influenced by location, education, and experience, with states like New York and California paying the highest salaries for advertising and promotions managers.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
10%
From 2021 to 2031, the advertising, promotions, and marketing field is expected to grow by 10%. Promotions managers will continue to be in demand as companies maintain and expand their product and service offerings.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Promotions Manager Need?
Promotions managers typically need to demonstrate the following skills:
- Analytical: Having the ability to use strong logic to make big decisions is key as a promotions manager. It’s important for managers to regularly analyze marketing trends and develop unique campaigns to stand out from the competition.
- Communicative: Promotions managers interact daily with a variety of individuals, from other creatives to customers to executives. Successful managers possess strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to easily navigate peer groups.
- Creative: Given that the market is always changing, creativity is essential when developing new and engaging campaigns. A large portion of a promotions manager’s time is spent brainstorming alongside other creatives.
- Problem-solving: As problems arise with a campaign or marketing strategy, promotions managers need to quickly assess the concern and provide a solution while also keeping the project goals in mind.
- Interpersonal: A positive attitude and active listening go far when navigating relationships with team members, customers, vendors, or executives.
- Organized: Most promotions managers are working on multiple campaigns at once. Strong organizational skills are important for keeping every project’s goals clear and achievable.
- Tech-savvy: The rise in digital marketing has greatly impacted promotions and advertising management. Managers need to be proficient in computer and technology software.
- Adaptable: When changes occur, promotions managers need to be capable of adjusting expectations and timelines smoothly. Flexibility enables these professionals to not be easily upset by unexpected change.
- Attention to detail: Minor details can affect the success of a campaign. It’s vital that a promotions manager has an eye for the small details that could hinder or help a project be successful.
- Collaborative: Promotions managers do not work alone. They depend on the work of writers, designers, analysts, and other managers to develop and execute projects. It’s important that promotions managers collaborate with ease and respect.
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