Advertising sales agent
Also known as: media salesman, ad sales representative, media saleswoman, ad sales agent, advertising sales rep, media salesperson
About this occupation
Advertising sales agents sell advertising space and media time to businesses and individuals. They make sales pitches to potential clients and follow up on after-sales.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ensure customer focus
- prospect new customers
- produce sales reports
- types of media
- customer relationship management
- sales promotion techniques
- implement sales strategies
- demonstrate motivation for sales
- advise on merchandise features
- implement customer follow-up
- use customer relationship management software
- answer requests for quotation
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Advertising Sales Agents (O*NET 41-3011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Explain to customers how specific types of advertising will help promote their products or services in the most effective way possible.
- Prepare and deliver sales presentations to new and existing customers to sell new advertising programs and to protect and increase existing advertising.
- Obtain and study information about clients' products, needs, problems, advertising history, and business practices to offer effective sales presentations and appropriate product assistance.
- Provide clients with estimates of the costs of advertising products or services.
- Maintain assigned account bases while developing new accounts.
- Recommend appropriate sizes and formats for advertising, depending on medium used.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Artistic
Top skills: Speaking, Persuasion, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Negotiation, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$64,820 a year (2025), 91,700 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (4.1)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Search Marketing Strategists
- Telemarketers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Sales Managers
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Real Estate Sales Agents
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.