OXFORD

ADVERTISING,
MARKETING + PR
Dynamic, diverse and fast-moving, this sector offers
roles for graduates from all degree disciplines. Some
10,000 agencies make up this sector in the UK,
ranging from full-service multi-nationals operating
Employers look for creative graduates who have highlevel
communication, analytical and organisational skills
and a keen interest in digital and social media. Different
roles at agencies commonly include Creatives, Account
too as the rapidly evolving digital landscape has created
opportunities for people with IT skills and an appreciation
of how ‘big data’ can be used to understand customer
behaviour. The sector offers numerous opportunities for
User Experience (UX) designers.
Enni-Kukka Tuomala
Strategist, Saatchi & Saatchi
“You can be creative when applying for
jobs; we receive videos, posters and
even cakes with CVs written on them
from people trying to stand out.”
is very helpful, so work experience is important, and
speculative approaches for full-time roles, internships or
work experience are often welcomed as they demonstrate
interest, desire and initiative.
These industries thrive on creativity, so think about making
your speculative approach a little different too: not all
agencies want a traditional CV and creative alternatives can
sometimes be effective, such as an infographic or videographic
CV. Consider building a website/blog to showcase
your skills. And actively use social media – to keep in touch
opportunities – but remember to manage you own webvisibility
carefully!
ADVERTISING, MARKETING + PR
Fields of operation (and terminology) for agencies in the
sector overlap, but can be broken down as:
+
motivate people to buy products and services, or to
alter their attitudes.
+
enhancing reputations (people, products or services),
press releases to promotional events.
+
persuading policymakers to adopt particular viewpoints.
+
management and communications, and provide services
across the range of advertising, market research, media
planning and buying, PR, distribution, sales strategy etc.
+
preferences to inform product development and/or
marketing campaigns.
PR consultancies are often international in scope. Many
are part of a larger communications group with a parent
company based in another country.
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS
come up during the year. Only the largest agencies tend
programmes) and application deadlines for these start to
close in October or early November.
Competition can be intense for advertised positions,
but there are alternative routes into agencies. This is a
without being advertised: being visible and known about
Agencies are not your only option however. Marketing and
communication roles are important in all sectors, so look
for graduate programmes with larger companies in brand
management, marketing and market research (consumer
business insight)and general management roles - deadlines
often fall in November and December – or build experience
as an in-house marketing assistant, for example with a
Management and FMCG.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ Get involved in the marketing of an event, fundraiser, or
any aspect of promotion of a student society.
+ Join the Oxford Marketing Project (student society) to
get hands-on experience working with and advising
clients on marketing strategy.
+
marketing and market research elements: a great way to
gain practical experience and commercial awareness.
+
+
such as Marketing Week, Campaign magazine, and The
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) website.
+
+ Keep up-to-date through social media and understand
how companies use them to communicate and engage
MORE INFORMATION:
www.careers.ox.ac.uk/advertising
/marketing
/public-relations
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