Get an Online Degree in Marketing

Thanks to digital video recorders (DVRs), it's never been easier to watch commercial-free TV. And that's keeping advertisers awake at night. So they're getting creative to keep viewers tuning in.

Enter the CBS network's "Gold Rush," an interactive game that asks viewers to watch its commercials for clues to find $2 million in gold. KFC has begun embedding coupons into their commercials. And ABC's "Lost Experience" asks viewers to watch commercials during "Lost" to find valuable storyline clues.

Such marketing ploys are becoming commonplace, as a result of marketing research indicating that 20 percent of the 112 million households in the United States. use DVRs to watch TV. If all these households skipped commercials regularly, it would amount to $15 billion in wasted advertising.

If advertisers want to continue employing such unique methods to reach viewers, they're going to rely heavily on those with training in marketing research, such as that offered through an online bachelor of science degree in marketing.

Why Marketing Careers are Hot

In 2006, Money magazine ranked the 50 Best Jobs in America, based on salary and career prospects. Their number-six pick? Market research analyst. With average annual job openings of 16,000, and an average salary of $82,500, it's every business student's dream.

A great first step toward landing this marketing career is an online bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in marketing. A B.S. in marketing prepares you to gather and analyze consumer data, and to report your findings. This online degree gives you a solid foundation in the principles behind advertising, as well as the communication skills and solid financial training to lead you into a market research analyst position.

These jobs are competitive; often employers prefer candidates with master's degrees in economics or statistics. But a B.S. in marketing is often enough to land you an entry-level position. Plus, an online B.S. degree in marketing demonstrates to employers that you pay good attention to detail, and that you are self-motivated, techno-savvy, and effective at online communication--all valuable skills in this exciting, in-demand career.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Money
ZDNet Tech News, "TV advertising's DVR challenge"