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Christopher, Account Executive at Deutsch LA: Advize Career Interview
A career in advertising, as detailed by a Deutsch LA Account Executive, offers dynamic daily experiences, ranging from client meetings and internal project tracking to competitive research and shaping marketing strategies.
The Account Executive's journey began with early media experience, progressing through college roles and a proactive approach to securing a coordinator position at Deutsch LA. Success hinges on strong communication skills, social-emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex personalities and challenges.
The role allows for significant influence, from impacting cultural conversations through impactful campaigns to advocating for diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Aspiring professionals should focus on building a content creation portfolio, seeking coordinator-level roles, and embracing the power of networking to advance their careers.
This individual's story highlights how initiative, self-belief, and a willingness to learn can overcome socioeconomic barriers to achieve significant professional success in advertising.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Christopher Morales
Account Executive
Deutsch LA
Cornell University, 2020
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Communications
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of an Account Executive at Deutsch LA
Christopher's career path began early, with high school radio and freelance journalism experience, building into college roles as news director and general manager of an independent radio station, demonstrating "a lot about the business of media." Post-graduation, networking and a proactive cold email secured a coordinator role at Deutsch LA, leading to Christopher's current Account Executive position managing the Walmart account.
Main Responsibilities of an Account Executive at Deutsch LA
Christopher's main responsibility as an Account Executive at Deutsch LA is to "moderate" communication between the creative team and clients, navigating legal, cultural, and logistical hurdles to ensure project success. This involves maintaining calm and clear communication amidst changing circumstances, a key skill for a career in advertising.
A Day In The Life Of An Account Executive At Deutsch LA
A day for this Account Executive "honestly varies," involving internal meetings to track project progress and client meetings to ensure satisfaction and analyze campaign results. The professional also conducts competitive research to inform creative pitches and bring "value to conversations," showcasing a proactive and strategic approach to the role.
Most Important Skills For An Account Executive At Deutsch LA
Christopher, an Account Executive at Deutsch LA, emphasizes the importance of "comfortability with speaking, um, and speaking with conviction" in his role, but highlights that strong social-emotional awareness is equally crucial for navigating "stressful deadlines" and diverse personalities among creatives and clients, ultimately enabling effective problem-solving and campaign success.
Favorite Parts of Being an Account Executive at Deutsch LA
Christopher enjoys the dynamic nature of advertising, stating that "not every day is the same," allowing him to introduce "new ideas and new conversations" to both internal teams and clients, making work a constant challenge and opportunity to remain relevant in a changing cultural landscape. This role enables Christopher to shape marketing strategies by leveraging current trends and client objectives.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Account Manager At Deutsch LA
Christopher's biggest challenges as an Account Executive at Deutsch LA involve continuous self-improvement to "constantly stay on a growth path," mastering administrative tasks to build client trust and influence, and navigating the complex personalities and bureaucracy inherent in managing a large account like Walmart. The ultimate goal is to advocate for their team's ideas and ensure everyone aligns on achieving "the best business goals."
Favorite Parts of Working in the Advertising Industry as an Account Executive
Christopher enjoys the power of advertising to "dictate conversation," citing successful campaigns like Walmart+ Week that challenged Amazon's dominance and sparked consumer comparisons, showcasing the industry's ability to influence cultural dialogue and values. This ability to shape societal conversations, even when campaigns miss the mark, provides continuous opportunities for critical evaluation and professional growth.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Advertising Industry According To An Account Executive At Deutsch LA
To thrive in the advertising industry, a person needs "great ideas" and the "energy to execute those ideas," as demonstrated by the account executive's role in contributing creatively while also possessing strong "social emotional skills" and the ability to build trust to persuade clients effectively. This blend of creative vision and interpersonal prowess is key for success.
What An Account Executive At Deutsch LA Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Advertising Industry
Christopher, an Account Executive, wished someone had emphasized the importance of representation in advertising, noting the industry's historically "predominantly white institution." They learned to leverage their identity as a Latino male to advocate for diverse ideas and serve as an ally, a skill crucial to their career progression and ability to drive "important cultural conversations."
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Coordinators at Deutsch LA
Christopher, an Account Executive at Deutsch LA, advises undergraduate students interested in advertising to target "any title that has coordinator attached to it," emphasizing these roles offer valuable learning and observation opportunities. A willingness to start at a coordinator level, coupled with seeking a company with a defined growth plan, can significantly advance one's career trajectory, as illustrated by Christopher's own upward mobility within the same company.
Significant Career Lesson From An Account Executive At Deutsch LA
Christopher, an Account Executive at Deutsch LA, learned that "as an account manager, I get to be client facing," allowing a greater impact than in a project management role; this enabled Christopher to leverage their identity to advocate for diverse representation, particularly within the Hispanic community, and empower others to join this "educational path."
College Experiences That Helped An Account Executive At Deutsch LA Succeed
To prepare for a career in advertising, Christopher emphasizes the importance of "creating content," gaining experience in planning, producing, and editing various media formats, from radio segments to TikTok videos. This hands-on experience, building "a sense of security in the work," and developing professional discipline proved invaluable in transitioning into a role as an Account Executive.
How Identity Has Influenced an Account Executive at Deutsch LA's Career
Christopher's low-income, first-generation background initially presented "mental barriers," but building confidence through self-created projects and sharing work with professionals opened unexpected opportunities, such as "working...for a travel journalist or...sitting in the press box for a soccer match." This journey highlights the importance of self-belief, seeking mentorship, and proactively engaging with others to overcome socioeconomic limitations and advance a career.
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