ACA Essentials Certificate
8 PRE-RECORDED, SELF-PACED MODULES | 30 MINUTE EXAM | MEMBERS ONLY
Gain valuable insights into the industry’s essential disciplines, with the course delivered by prominent leaders in Australian advertising.
Who’s it for?
ENTRY LEVEL, 0-1 years
Anyone with less than a year’s experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role. From recent graduates to people entering the industry from another profession.
What to expect
Delivered by current industry leaders, this course offers a practical, real-world look at the skills, processes, and people that drive today’s advertising industry.
Across eight modules, you’ll explore key areas like Account Management, Strategic Planning, the Creative Process, Agency Finance, Production, CX, and Media. Each speaker shares an overview of their topic, plus their Top 5 Tips.
Content is delivered via on-demand video lectures, so you can learn at your own pace.
To complete the course, you’ll take a short final exam: 18 multiple-choice questions, based on all modules. The exam must be completed on 31 Jan, 30 June, or 1 Dec between 10:00 AM and midnight (AEST/AEDT). There’s no time limit, but it usually takes around 30 minutes. You’ll need 14 correct answers to pass and receive certification.
Exam dates:
31 January, 30 June, 1 December 2025
This course is available for members only.
MEET Your lecturers
Course Content
Module 1: Australian Advertising
Lecturer: Mark Green & Michael Rebelo
- The role of advertising in business & culture
- The role of agencies
- Iconic campaigns in Australian advertising
- Industry opportunities
Module 2: Account Management
Lecturer: Paul Coles
- The role of leadership and account management
- Building great client relationships
- Working with creative, strategy & finance
- Identifying and creating business opportunities
Module 3: Strategic Planning
Lecturer: Kate Smither
- The role of strategic planning
- What’s an insight? (and where to find them)
- Writing great briefs
Module 4: The Creative Process
Lecturer: Ant Melder
- The process involved in developing great creative work (from a creative’s point of view)
- How all roles within agencies can add value to the creative process
- What helps and hinders great creativity
Module 5: Finance
Lecturer: Nick Hand
- Agency finance structures
- Pricing creativity & various pricing strategies
- The language of value
Module 6: CX Essentials
Lecturer: Ciaran Park
- Top 5 tech innovations relevant to advertising today
- Why are they important?
- Best ways to stay technologically informed
Module 7: Production
Lecturer: Alexandra Hay
- From agency to producer – the process
- Keeping the idea alive
- Budgets and timelines
- Key considerations
Module 8: Media
Lecturer: Alex Connell
- The modern Australian media landscape
- Media throughout the creative process (and how creative and media agencies can work best together)
This members only course is self-paced.
Participant Feedback
“Great selection of speakers and their passion for the industry was infectious – a great intro to the industry and why people love being a part of it.”
2024 Participant
“Engaging, educational and loved the personal touch that most presenters brought to their modules.”
2024 Participant
“It was great to be able to complete the lectures at my own pace and in my own time.”
2024 Participant