Commercial Producer: Job Description and Career Info

Research commercial producer career information. Learn about the job duties, training requirements, job outlook and salary information to make an informed decision about becoming a commercial producer.

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Commercial Producer Job Description

Commercial producers develop television commercials for advertisers. Commercial producers who work for regional television stations may participate in all parts of creating the commercials - including writing, shooting and editing. Those who work for national companies may focus on the business side of producing a commercial. After creating the initial concept, these producers may help with the script and determine the amount of money needed to invest in casting, equipment and film crews. They may also figure out ways to acquire the funding from product manufacturers or other interested parties.

During the production process, commercial producers may be responsible for making sure crewmembers and cast members are on time and on budget. They may also make detailed schedules for cast members and crewmembers. Producers must solve unforeseen problems and delegate production duties appropriately. Once the footage is shot, producers may edit, add graphics and include sound effects to create the final product.

Commercial producers are also responsible for the quality of each commercial produced. Quality control can involve several duties, such as verifying accurate information and placing legal disclaimers into advertisements. Producers must also verify that commercials meet certain legal and broadcasting standards. When commercials are ready for broadcast, producers negotiate financial deals for commercial air time.

Commercial Producer Career Info

Employment Outlook and Salary Statistics

While specific information for commercial producers was not available, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that open positions for all actors, directors and producers are expected to rise by 11% during the 2010-2020 decade (www.bls.gov). The BLS salary statistics from May 2011 showed that the average salary of all producers and directors was $92,220. Information from that same year showed that producers and directors working in the advertising industry earned an average salary of $109,220.

Education and Training

According to the BLS, producers are not required to hold any formal degrees. However, producing positions may require skills from many areas, including marketing, business, writing, production and editing. While prospective commercial producers can receive training in film and television programs, they can also learn about producing commercials in broadcast communications programs. Associate's and bachelor's degree programs in this area provide coursework in writing scripts, operating a camera and using editing software.

Students may also want to seek out elective courses in finance and marketing to learn how to set a budget and advertise to different demographics. Industry experience is one of the most noted forms of training for this career field, per the BLS, and training may be obtained through internships in television, radio and film.

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