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Top 10 Advertising Executive Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 16 min read

Certifications are important for advertising executives in the job market as they demonstrate a certain level of expertise and knowledge. Having certain certifications can make a candidate stand out from other applicants and give them an edge when competing for roles. Certifications also show an employer that the individual is committed to developing their professional skills, which can help to build trust and confidence in the hiring process. Additionally, certifications can provide access to exclusive resources and networks, giving individuals an advantage in terms of career opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Advertising Executives and explain how they can help advance an advertising executive's career.

What are Advertising Executive Certifications?

Advertising executive certification is a type of professional credential that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of expertise in the field of advertising. The certification is designed to help demonstrate to employers, clients and other stakeholders that an individual has the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to successfully manage and lead an advertising business.

The certification process typically involves passing an exam or completing a series of courses covering topics such as advertising strategy, media planning, creative development, public relations and marketing research. Upon completion of the program, recipients are awarded with a certificate indicating their successful completion of the program.

Receiving this certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their careers in the field of advertising. It serves as proof that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to work in this industry, which may help them secure higher-level positions or more responsibility at their current job. Furthermore, having this certification can give potential employers confidence that they have hired someone with the right qualifications for the job. In addition, certifications can also provide those working in advertising with access to exclusive networks and resources within the industry.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the various types of advertising executive certifications available and find one that is tailored to your specific needs. Look for certifications that are offered from reputable organizations or schools, and make sure it covers topics such as marketing strategy, media planning, digital marketing, analytics, and more.

Related: What does an Advertising Executive do?

Top 10 Advertising Executive Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Advertising Executives today.

1. Certified Advertising Professional (CAP)

Certified Advertising Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of advertising. The CAP program is designed to provide individuals with the skills, knowledge, and credentials necessary to excel in today’s competitive advertising industry.

To become a Certified Advertising Professional, you must pass an exam administered by the AAF. The exam covers topics such as media planning, research and strategy, creative development, legal and regulatory issues, and digital marketing. To prepare for the exam, you can take classes at accredited universities or take self-study courses online.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CAP certification in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of taking the CAP examination varies depending on where you are taking it. Generally speaking, it costs around $300-$400 USD to take the exam.

2. Certified Digital Advertising Executive (CDAE)

The Certified Digital Advertising Executive (CDAE) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals become proficient in the digital advertising industry. It is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), an international organization that sets standards for digital advertising.

The CDAE program consists of two parts: a self-study course and an exam. The self-study course covers topics such as digital media planning, ad operations, analytics, and more. It takes approximately 25 hours to complete the self-study course. After completing the course, individuals must pass an exam to earn their certification. The exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get certified, individuals must register with IAB and pay a fee of $295 USD. Once registered, they will receive access to the online learning portal where they can begin their self-study course and take the exam when ready. Upon successful completion of both parts of the program, individuals will receive a Certificate of Completion from IAB confirming their CDAE certification status.

3. Certified Media Planning Professional (CMPM)

Certified Media Planning Professional (CMPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of media planners. It is administered by the Institute for Professional Development in Advertising (IPDA), an independent, non-profit organization that provides training and education for advertising professionals.

The CMPM certification requires applicants to demonstrate their understanding of media planning principles and practices, such as audience analysis, media selection, budgeting and negotiation. Applicants must pass a written exam that covers topics such as audience targeting, media research and evaluation techniques, campaign strategy development and implementation.

It takes approximately two months to complete the CMPM certification process. The first step is to register with IPDA and pay the application fee ($250). After submitting your application, you will be sent an email with instructions on how to take the online exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CMPM certificate in the mail.

The cost of obtaining a CMPM certification is $250 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee covers the cost of registration, taking the online exam and receiving your official certificate in the mail.

4. Certified Advertising Account Manager (CAAM)

Certified Advertising Account Manager (CAAM) is a professional certification program designed to provide advertising account managers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage advertising campaigns. The certification is offered by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's).

The CAAM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as media planning, budgeting, client relations, creative strategy, and analytics. It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the course.

To get certified, applicants must pass the CAAM Exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must score at least 70% on the exam in order to be certified.

The cost of the CAAM program varies depending on whether you are a 4A's member or not. For non-members, the cost is $1,500 plus applicable taxes; for members, it is $1,200 plus applicable taxes.

5. Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS)

Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS) is a certification program offered by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). It is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and measure effective digital marketing strategies. The certification covers topics such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, web analytics, and more.

The CDMS certification program consists of two levels: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 focuses on foundational digital marketing principles and strategies. It takes about 10 hours to complete the coursework for Level 1. Level 2 builds on the concepts learned in Level 1 and covers advanced digital marketing topics. It takes approximately 20 hours to complete the coursework for Level 2.

To get certified as a Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS), you must pass both levels of the program with a minimum score of 70%. You can take each level separately or both levels together in one session. After passing both levels with the required score, you will receive your CDMS certificate from DMI.

The cost of getting certified as a Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS) varies depending on which option you choose: taking one level at a time or taking both levels together in one session. If you take one level at a time, it costs $299 USD per level; if you take both levels together in one session, it costs $499 USD for both levels combined.

6. Certified Programmatic Advertising Executive (CPEA)

Certified Programmatic Advertising Executive (CPEA) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful programmatic advertising executives. The CPEA certification is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), an organization that sets standards and provides education for digital marketing and media professionals.

The CPEA certification is designed to help programmatic advertising professionals understand the fundamentals of programmatic buying, selling, and optimization. It covers topics such as data-driven targeting, bid strategies, inventory management, fraud prevention, and more. The certification also includes an exam that tests a candidate’s understanding of these topics.

It typically takes about 8-10 weeks to complete the CPEA certification program. Candidates must complete two online courses and pass a final exam in order to be certified. The courses cover topics such as data-driven targeting, bid strategies, inventory management, fraud prevention, and more.

The cost of the CPEA Certification Program varies depending on whether you take it online or in person. Online courses typically cost around $1,000 while in-person classes cost around $2,500.

In addition to the course fees, candidates must also pay a one-time fee of $150 for the final exam fee which covers registration costs and other administrative fees associated with taking the exam.

7. Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS)

A Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS) is a professional designation that demonstrates expertise in the field of social media strategy and management. This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in developing, executing, and managing successful social media campaigns.

The CSMS certification is offered by the Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMI). It requires applicants to pass an online exam that covers topics such as content creation, analytics, community building, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CSMS certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in social media marketing or related fields. They must also demonstrate knowledge of current trends and best practices in the industry.

The cost for the CSMS certification exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $300 - $400 USD. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CSMS certificate and digital badge which can be used on resumes and other professional documents.

8. Certified Search Engine Marketing Professional (CSEMP)

Certified Search Engine Marketing Professional (CSEMP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the concepts and techniques of search engine marketing. The CSEMP certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in this field.

The CSEMP program is administered by the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO). It consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical application project. The written exam covers topics such as keyword research, SEO best practices, PPC advertising, analytics and reporting, content optimization, and more. The practical application project requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts in a real-world setting.

The CSEMP program typically takes between six months and one year to complete. It begins with an online self-study course that covers all of the topics covered on the exam. Once you’ve completed the coursework, you can register for the exam. After passing the exam, you will be eligible to submit your practical application project for review by SEMPO's Certification Board. If approved, you will receive your official CSEMP certification.

The cost of the CSEMP program varies depending on which components you choose to pursue. The self-study course costs $495 USD; the written exam costs $395 USD; and the practical application project costs $295 USD.

9. Certified Digital Creative Director (CDCD)

A Certified Digital Creative Director (CDCD) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's proficiency in the field of digital creative direction. This certification is offered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), and it is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of digital creative direction.

To obtain this certification, individuals must successfully complete a two-day exam and submit a portfolio of their work to demonstrate their capabilities. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and essays that cover topics such as digital design principles, project management, client relations, marketing strategy, analytics, budgeting, and more.

The cost for the CDCD certification depends on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. The online version costs $350 while the in-person version costs $400. Additionally, there is an application fee of $50 which must be paid at the time of registration.

Once you have completed all requirements for the CDCD certification program and passed your exams, you will receive your official certificate within 6–8 weeks.

10. Certified Online Advertising Manager (COAM)

Certified Online Advertising Manager (COAM) is a professional certification program offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). It is designed to provide professionals in the online advertising industry with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of interactive advertising and its related technologies.

The COAM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as digital media strategy, campaign planning, ad operations, analytics, and more. The exam tests knowledge of the topics covered in the course.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete the COAM program. To get started, you must first register for the program on IAB’s website. Once registered, you will be able to access the online course materials and take the exam when you are ready.

The cost of the COAM program varies depending on whether or not you are a member of IAB. For non-members, it costs $750 USD; for members, it costs $500 USD.

Do You Really Need a Advertising Executive Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need an advertising executive certificate in order to become an advertising executive. However, having one may give you a competitive edge in the job market and could be beneficial in increasing your chances of getting hired.

Advertising executives are responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies that will help companies reach their desired audience. An advertising executive certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge of the field and show potential employers that you have the skills necessary to effectively manage campaigns. It can also prove that you understand industry trends and how to implement them into successful marketing strategies.

In addition, having an advertising executive certificate could provide access to exclusive networking opportunities. This could include attending conferences, seminars, and workshops hosted by leading industry professionals or even connecting with other certified professionals who may be able to provide valuable advice or insights about the industry.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue an advertising executive certificate depends on your individual goals. If you are looking for a leg up in the job market or want to gain deeper knowledge about the industry then it may be worth considering investing in a certification program.

Related: Advertising Executive Resume Examples

FAQs About Advertising Executive Certifications

Q1: What is an Advertising Executive Certification?

A1: An Advertising Executive Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates one’s knowledge and experience in the field of advertising. It is typically awarded by a professional organization or educational institution after passing a series of tests and/or completing a set amount of coursework.

Q2: What are the benefits of getting an Advertising Executive Certification?

A2: Having an Advertising Executive Certification can be beneficial for many reasons, including improved job prospects, increased credibility in the industry, and access to higher-level positions. Additionally, having this certification may provide you with additional skills and knowledge that can help you excel in your current role.

Q3: What are the requirements to receive an Advertising Executive Certification?

A3: Requirements vary depending on the certifying organization or institution, but typically include passing an exam or completing coursework related to advertising principles and practices. Some programs may also require applicants to have relevant work experience or other qualifications.

Q4: How long does it take to get an Advertising Executive Certification?

A4: The amount of time required to complete a program depends on the specific requirements set by the certifying organization or institution. Generally speaking, most programs take anywhere from six months to two years to complete.

Q5: What are some popular organizations offering Advertising Executive Certifications?

A5: Some of the most popular organizations offering these certifications include the American Marketing Association (AMA), International Institute for Professional Development (IIPD), National Institute for Professional Development (NIPD), and Certified Professional Marketer (CPM).

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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