The Most Important Ads You Will Ever Write

Responsibilities
—Prepare and execute Elsevier Pharmaceutical Sales marketing plan for both Elsevier and Netter product lines.
—Attend all Book Project Proposal/Pricing Meetings to:
Gather content and pricing information on all new medical text books
Deliver realistic Pharma Sales sales forecasts for appropriate titles
Negotiate book prices with Marketing Managers when necessary
—Liaise with book (Trade) marketing managers to uncover sales leads and coordinate potential sales with business development managers and external sales agents.
—Review all book marketing direct mail work orders for relevant Pharma potential and order or run-on with updated Pharma copy where appropriate.
—Work with Business Development Managers in determining which new and existing titles are appropriate for pharmaceutical, biotech, and device industry promotion.
—Maintain reports that provide Elsevier Pharmaceutical Sales staff with pricing and content information needed to position new and existing titles with pharmaceutical, biotech and device customers.
—Plan and develop all print and electronic materials required to support client programs sold by Elsevier Pharmaceutical Sales Business Development Managers.
—Partner with Business Development Managers to conceptualize and develop promotional programs and materials to drive sales of Elsevier Pharmaceutical Sales products and services.
—Plan, develop, and maintain departmental website presence.
—Manage outside vendors in the design and production of all promotional materials and programs.
—Develop and maintain media schedules and coordinate placement of advertisements.
—Develop and maintain exhibit schedule and work with meeting sponsoring organizations to obtain optimal exhibit and promotional opportunities.
—Gather and distribute relevant market/industry developments.
—Process all marketing invoices.
—Assist Marketing Director in the development of the marketing and tactical plans.
After listing the key competencies and qualifications the candidate must possess—including a “BA/BS in business, life sciences or related field”—the job description ended with the most astonishing sentence imaginable:
“The preferred years of experience for this position is two years.”
What is described above is a nightmarish job with vast responsibilities that could in no way be handled by someone with just two years of experience. By looking for two years experience, Elsevier is clearly planning to pay peanuts and set this person up for failure.

Denny Hatch is the author of six books on marketing and four novels, and is a direct marketing writer, designer and consultant. His latest book is “Write Everything Right!” Visit him at dennyhatch.com.