Advertising is a multi-billion pound industry, and for the healthcare sector, it’s an essential part of the communications mix when it comes to launching a new product to market. Healthcare advertising encompasses the delivery of a whole range of advertising media from traditional print, radio and TV ads to outside advertising and online promotional platforms. It can also include other promotional activities such as sales collateral, direct mailers, point of sale and exhibition stand materials.
The regulations surrounding the advertising of pharmaceutical products are very stringent, so there are a number of specialist agencies which are dedicated to medical advertising and excel in balancing compliance and creativity. They are employed by pharma and other healthcare companies on project or long term contracts to devise and deliver their advertising strategy.
Roles within medical advertising agencies are many and varied and can be split by account management and creative services. Account management jobs include account executive, account manager, account director and director of client services. These roles focus on the day-to-day running of a client’s account as well as developing their strategy, and are suited to people who are personable, organised and used to juggling multiple priorities. A background in healthcare is also advantageous.
On the creative services side, healthcare advertising jobs include copywriters, designers and art directors. These roles are focused on delivering the strategy for clients. Creative agencies are often very fast paced environments to work in, so successful candidates have good planning and organisational skills as well as creative flair. They also need to have a good understanding of the healthcare industry, its regulations and be able to translate medical terminology and complex information into advertising which engages audiences.
For entry level Account Executives and Writers, the average salaries are around £25,000. This increases to £75,000 for an Associate Director and higher for the director level roles. Each company structures their salary and benefits differently and some of the perks are fantastic!
Check out our latest Healthcare Advertising jobs, view our recent Healthcare Communications Salary Survey report or send us your CV.