Advertising Contacts (for Print & Stock)Click on any of the links below for a detailed description of the responsibilities of these roles at an ad agency for print assignment and stock. Art Buyers: | Art Directors: |
Creative Directors: | Designers: |
What They Do... Art Buyers: Art Buyer (AB)
This position is responsible for sourcing and recommending creative services, such as illustration and photography on an assignment basis and the licensing of stock images. The Art Buyer is actively involved in the hiring process, including recommending and sourcing new talent and services, negotiating estimates, playing a producer's role and negotiating usage rights. This position is found in most large advertising agencies as well as some larger design companies and in-house corporations. The Art Buyer is a very key person, and therefore, should always be targeted. Managing Art Buyer (MAB)
This is a management position that also fulfills the role of Art Buyer, and therefore, is very important to target. Assistant Art Buyer (AB)
This is a junior position - in some cases, the Assistant Art Buyer can decide on creative suppliers. The Assistant Art Buyer is usually rapidly promoted to full Art Buyer and should be targeted.  Back to Top
Art Directors: Art Director (AD)
This position is responsible for developing the initial visual concepts and then executing them for all advertising media such as print, TV, outdoor, etc. In advertising agencies, the Art Director works in a team with a copywriter - together, they develop the basic creative concepts. The Art Director then decides on the visual ingredients, such as the image type and the overall look of the project. Senior Art Director (SAD)
This position is one with more experience than a regular Art Director. Group Art Director (GAD)
This position usually has the Art Director of a creative team reporting to them for approval of their work and choice of suppliers. The Group Art Director often also fulfills the role of Art Director on larger accounts. Interactive Art Director (IAD)
This position is responsible for developing the initial visual concepts and then executing them for interactive advertising media such as the Internet, mobile devices, etc. In advertising agencies, the Interactive Art Director works in a team with an interactive copywriter - together, they develop the basic creative concepts. The Interactive Art Director then oversees the visual ingredients, such as the image type and the overall look of the interactive project. Interactive Art Directors play a small role in the hiring process and interactive departments are most likely to use stock, generally not hiring for assignment. Back to Top Creative Directors: Creative Director (CD)
This position is found in a number of different types of companies, but the role is very similar. The Creative Director has the final approval on all the creative stages from the initial concept to finished artwork. The Creative Director is ultimately responsible for the final output of the creative product. In larger companies, the Creative Director tends not to be involved in details such as the choice of suppliers, but s/he may do so on larger projects. In smaller companies, the Creative Director can be very involved. Group Creative Director (GCD)
This position is one step below that of a Creative Director. In many cases, the Group Creative Director fulfills the same role as a Creative Director. Interactive Creative Director (ICD)
This position has the final approval on all the creative stages of an interactive project from the initial concept to finished artwork. The Interactive Creative Director is ultimately responsible for the final output of creative products produced for interactive advertising media such as the Internet, mobile devices, etc. Interactive Creative Directors play a small role in the hiring process and interactive departments are most likely to use stock, generally not hiring for assignment. Back to Top Designers: Graphic Designer (GD)
This position holds responsibility for the design elements of such items as annual reports and product packaging. The Graphic Designer can decide on everything involved in the design, from the type of paper to the use of creative suppliers. The Graphic Designer's role can differ depending on the type of firm. At a graphic design firm, s/he would have influence in far more decisions than at other types of companies, such as magazines. Senior Graphic Designer (SGD)
This position is one with more than experience than a regular Graphic Designer. Interactive Graphic Designer (IGD)
This position holds responsibility for the design elements of such interactive items as websites and online visuals. The Interactive Graphic Designer can decide on everything involved in the design, from the type of software applications needed to the use of creative suppliers. Interactive Graphic Designers play a small role in the hiring process and interactive departments are most likely to use stock, generally not hiring for assignment. Back to Top Other Contacts: Print Producer (PP)
This position holds responsibility for all aspects of production in the print medium, from the handling of pre-press artwork to the choice of printing presses for the printing of annual reports. The Print Producer's main responsibility is to work with pre-press suppliers and printers. In some advertising agencies, s/he plays the role of Art Buyer - often in a limited capacity, such as obtaining estimates and handling negotiations. Managing Print Producer (MPP)
This is a management position that can also fulfill the role of Print Producer. Interactive Producer (IP)
This position holds responsibility for all aspects of production in the interactive medium, from the handling of artwork for web-based projects to the choice of online providers. The Interactive Producer's main responsibility is to work with suppliers. Interactive departments are most likely to use stock, generally not hiring for assignment. Creative Secretary (CS)
This position fulfills the basic secretarial functions in a creative department. In many companies, the Creative Secretary is responsible for some coordination and involved in updating the list of creative contacts. Back to Top | 