ADVERTISING vs MARKETING: What is the Difference?

Within a business’s overarching promotional objectives and sales strategy, both marketing and advertising have a function. Advertising and marketing, however, are two distinct divisions. If one of those disciplines interests you, it’s critical to grasp what each entails and the strategies used to determine where you might function best. In this article, we define marketing vs advertising, contrast the two fields, and discuss common degree levels and salary categories in each.

Advertising vs Marketing

Both advertising and marketing are good tools for business promotion. Before we go deep into their differences, let us start by knowing their definitions separately.

What is Marketing? Advertising vs Marketing

Planning, executing, and refining promotional techniques with the aim of raising visibility, building brand awareness, and improving sales is the process of marketing. Additionally, it enables a business to specify its goods and services, investigate possible markets, and develop a plan for effectively focusing on its target market. The marketing process is implemented and managed by a marketing department or executive board, and the campaigns are developed by people with expertise in particular marketing-related areas, such as social media marketing.

What is Advertising? Advertising vs Marketing

The collection of communication techniques that a business employs to carry out a marketing campaign is known as advertising. More specifically, it refers to the dissemination of information about goods and services to target audiences and the general public through the media.

Differences Between Advertising vs Marketing

The company’s branding process and the development of an instantly recognizable style, logo, and identity involve both advertising and marketing. Despite the fact that professionals in each area perform identical tasks, there are some essential qualifications and skills that set them apart. You can choose your career with greater knowledge if you are aware of the following differences between marketing and advertising:

#1. Educational Demands and Expectations

Employers in marketing and advertising both require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline as a minimum. The coursework for the two degrees in these subjects could, however, differ. For instance, a marketing professional might earn a Bachelor of Science in marketing business administration with a marketing focus. A Bachelor of Arts degree in either communications or advertising is an option for an advertising professional. They could study journalism, communication, broadcast, and public relations, along with advertising, copywriting, new media communication, and design if they decide to pursue a degree in communications instead.

#2. Goals and Responsibilities

A marketing specialist works with the marketing department to develop, implement, and assess marketing plans that will raise customer awareness and promote sales. While, the responsibility of an advertising expert is to develop print, radio, television, and online commercials that entice and inform potential buyers about the good or service the firm is marketing.

#3. Skills

Marketing professionals concentrate on techniques that generate the most leads and clients. To achieve the objectives outlined in the marketing strategy, an advertising professional must comprehend the nature of the product and the target market in order to create the most powerful advertising campaign.

Advertising vs Marketing Degree

In marketing vs advertising, their different degree(s) can prepare students to start a career in either industry and is often necessary to take advantage of advancement prospects. Principles of marketing, marketing research, marketing strategy, customer behavior, and sales management are frequently included in courses for marketing degrees. Courses in advertising principles, advertising management and account planning, copywriting, interactive design, and media planning are frequently found in degrees in advertising. Students will also be in a better position to choose the educational path that best suits their abilities, interests, and career aspirations if they have a thorough awareness of the distinctions and connections between marketing and advertising.

Examples of the curriculum for the two specialties that set an advertising degree apart from a marketing degree are shown below.

Advertising Degree: Advertising vs Marketing

A Bachelor of Arts program can thus lead to an advertising degree. It may also be necessary to combine business, social science, math, and writing classes as part of the core curriculum and credit requirements. Thus, the majority of advertising programs provide classes in:

Generation of content
Advertising Guidelines
Audience research
Social science and psychology
The fundamentals of advertising
Economics and statistics
Customer Conduct

Marketing Degree: Advertising vs Marketing

A Bachelor of Science in Marketing program of study is chosen by students who want to major in marketing. You may also be required by many schools to complete an internship to get real-world experience. Typically, marketing programs offer coursework in the following subjects:

Worldwide advertising
Management of advertising and promotion
Market analysis
Selling on the side
Marketing techniques
Retail management
Internet-based and offline marketing

Although a concentration isn’t usually required in marketing degrees, having one can help you prepare for a certain career path in the industry.

Following are a few typical concentrations:

Supply chain administration
Marketing administration
Financial and Accounting
Sales

Advertising vs Marketing Salary

Where should you start looking for high-income possibilities if you want to start a career in marketing? Most of the higher-paying marketing positions involve management or leadership responsibilities, which require both marketing and leadership skills. Most can also start their careers with simply a marketing bachelor’s degree, delivering excellent earning potential without a graduate education. Therefore, the highest-paying marketing vs advertising salary is listed below for your consideration.

#1. E-Commerce Marketing Director

The position of e-commerce marketing director extends the responsibilities of a marketing director, who oversees an organization’s entire marketing initiatives, to online stores and marketing. In this position, a strong marketing background is thus combined with expertise in online commerce and general technology. These people need to be aware of the particular requirements of internet shoppers. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not identify this occupation, pay.com reports an average yearly pay of $169,402 for this position.

#2. User Experience (UX) Director

To make sure that customers like using a brand and its products, a user experience director conducts research and analytics. Because the director must comprehend how the total user experience influences the brand, marketing expertise is a must for this position. According to Salary.com, this position will pay an average of $163,600 a year.

#3. Marketing Research Manager

In order to generate interest in a company’s goods or services, a marketing research manager assists in the research and planning of marketing initiatives. Highly analytical, marketing research managers analyze markets to identify what advertising would be beneficial for a certain target demographic before monitoring that advertising to make sure it stays effective as markets shift. This job path has a high pay potential and calls for at least a bachelor’s degree. The average yearly wage for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers, which includes marketing research managers, is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to be $141,490.

#4. Marketing Director

A marketing director manages the marketing department and plans the company’s marketing. Although this position places a higher emphasis on managing people than research data, it is less analytical than that of a marketing research manager. Nevertheless, these experts handle similar tasks. They also provide data on average earnings and job growth from the BLS, which shows an annual salary of $141,490 and a 10% expected increase in employment.

#5. Creative Director

An organization’s creative team is led by creative directors. The director makes sure the creative team stays on track and uses their creative abilities to achieve organizational goals. Marketing is a significant portion of what the team will work on. To lead a team, the creative director needs strong leadership qualities as well as good people skills. According to pay.com, a creative director makes an average yearly pay of $133,790.

#6. Brand/Product Manager

The primary marketer responsible for a certain brand is a brand or product manager. These experts combine a company’s commercial goals with efficient marketing tactics that the business can utilize to attract new clients. Additionally, they need to comprehend how sales and earnings are defined within the framework of the company. Their main duties are to generate interest in and draw customers to their brand. According to pay.com, this individual makes an average pay of $112,759 each year.

#7. Marketing Executive

An executive is a manager who develops plans and procedures to further the organization’s objectives. The marketing tactics and policies are planned by a marketing executive. Marketing executives do not have a specific job title listed by the BLS, but all top executives get an average salary of $107,680 a year. From 2020 to 2030, this industry is anticipated to develop about as quickly as the national average.

#8. Art Director

The visual design and artwork for packaging, promotional items, ads, and even the product itself are chosen by an art director. The BLS predicts an 11% increase in demand for this profession between 2020 and 2030, making it a career path with significant growth potential. The typical yearly wage is $97,270.

#9. Advertising Account Director

An advertising account director assists in making sure advertising campaigns keep within these constraints while also fulfilling the brand’s overall aims and objectives. Advertising involves meticulous attention to deadlines and finances. It takes meticulous organization, planning, and an in-depth understanding of the advertising sector to perform this demanding task. Directors of advertising accounts are frequently hired by marketing firms to oversee their different client accounts. According to compensation.com, the typical compensation for an advertising account director in the United States is $93,253, with the size of the business and the overall profitability of the brand influencing prospective earnings.

What Is Marketing vs Advertising vs Branding?

Branding influences the style and direction of advertising campaigns, whereas advertising can increase brand awareness. Along with supporting ad campaigns, marketing can manage brand accountability and maintain a business’s reputation.

Is Marketing Still a Good Career?

With a marketing degree, you can work in almost any field, for any size company.

Why Should I Major in Advertising?

You’ll become somewhat of an expert in advertising theory, copywriting and layout, media campaigns, and media economics if you major in advertising.

What Does a Degree in Marketing Do?

Graduates with a marketing degree are prepared for careers in sales, public relations, advertising, and marketing.