Marketing executives' work usually involves:
- Analyzing the market, including competitors and consumers
- Executing marketing strategies and campaigns
- Monitoring and arranging the distribution of promotional materials
- Monitoring and coordinating the production of promotional materials
- Overseeing and implementing product distribution
- Attending and organizing sales promotional events and exhibitions
- Coordinating with and reporting to managers to carry out campaigns
- Acting as liaisons between the media, suppliers, and clients
Marketing executives' skills include:
- Excellent verbal communication
- Excellent written communication
- Ability to think outside the box and be creative
- Effective organizational skills
- Ability to plan and formulate strategies
- Ability to implement strategies by using or adapting tactics
- Ability to adjust to and work with teams
- Ability to drive and inspire
- Confidence
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Interest in and awareness of markets and financial implications
- Quick decision-making abilities
- Excellent knowledge of their companies' present and past product lines
- Ability to identify market segments, niches, and potential markets
- Thorough knowledge of competitors' products and services
- Ability to withstand criticism and irritated people
Marketing is usually done in indoors; however, marketing executives may have to travel extensively or do outdoor promotional activities as well. Since all business is about creating and supplying products and services to customers, marketing draws people from all disciplines. Though an MBA or other higher education degree is always welcome, there are no specific higher education criteria for entry-level marketing jobs. Marketing executives pride themselves more on their persuasive personalities, and the demands of the job focus more on results than on degrees.
Marketing executives have many career options. Though most try to move up to marketing management and/or positions that involve strategic planning, others transfer to fields like advertising, market research, or public relations. There are very few activities, ranging from sports to politics, that do not require efficient marketing executives' skills.
