The fast-paced world of advertising is filled with interesting job options and bright people who bring words and visuals together to reach a target audience. 

While art and copy are important aspects of advertising, the industry would not be able to function without research, planning, and strategy. According to CareerCast, some of the best jobs in the advertising industry include account executive, data scientist, market research analyst, social media manager and web developer.

You can read the full report here.

Data Scientist, with a growth outlook of 16 per cent and an annual median salary of $US111,260, is responsible for interpreting and analyzing large quantities of data, which are invaluable to advertisers. Data scientists can help agencies and corporate creative departments shape their strategies through quantitative research of consumer trends.

Another top job in the fast-paced world of advertising is advertising account executive with an annual median salary of $127,560 and a growth outlook of 9 per cent. They act as a link between clients and the agency and are responsible for the coordination of campaigns.

Social media manager is another hot advertising job, responsible for helping corporations and advertisers reach the right audience through platforms like Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and tablets.

Multimedia artists are also in high-demand. No matter a multimedia artist’s specialty – from graphical design for print, to animations for television, and responsive images for the growing base of users accessing content on their phones – the job is a necessary cornerstone in the advertising industry.

Content marketing is an increasingly popular way for businesses and service providers to reach potential customers they might otherwise miss. Written content is a great way to keep an audience engaged and entertained while touting a product or service’s benefits.

“Professional writers can find great opportunities in advertising, especially as Copywriters,” says Kyle Kensing, online content editor, CareerCast. “Their unique knowledge and understanding translates well, particularly for agencies working with clients in technology.”

Certain skills are essential to break into and succeed in the advertising industry.

“Careers in advertising often require the ability to quickly absorb new material, listen to problems, offer solutions, distill complex information, and create insights, headlines, and a call to action,” says Kensing. “Clear communication is vital for all jobs in the industry, because part of an advertising professional’s work is gaining an understanding of the client’s vision, and being able to present it in an actionable and effective manner.”

“Listening is critical in advertising,” says Michael Piperno, executive vice president of Imbue Creative in Lambertville, New Jersey. “You have to be able to communicate clearly, verbally and non-verbally.”

If your skills include being able to work well within a team, communicate effectively, and build strong relationships, CareerCast suggest you consider these careers in advertising.