Account Executive - Broadcast

WDAY, the number #1 station located in the Fargo, ND-Moorhead, MN metro area, broadcasts across the entire state of North Dakota, Western Minnesota, and Eastern South Dakota. WDAY is an award-winning station, taking home multiple Emmy awards as well as regional and national Edward R Murrow awards in recent years. They produce more live, local sports coverage than anyone in the region, and are the proud home of North Dakota State University Athletics and North Dakota High School Activities State Tournaments. WDAY is part of Forum Communications Company, a 5th-generation family-owned media company, and produces over 40 hours of local news, weather, and sports content each week, making them the most watched news station in the state of North Dakota and Western Minnesota.

Passionate about advertising? Love collaborating with different teams? You’ll fit right in! WDAY is currently looking for a full time Account Executive. This position has great potential for growth and advancement with Forum Communications Company.

We offer aggressive commissions and bonus program with an uncapped earning potential based on your sales. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone eager to excel in a sales career and would be an ideal position for candidates with sales, advertising,

marketing, communication and/or public relations degrees or backgrounds. This position is located in Fargo, North Dakota. Some travel to Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minot may be required. This position is heavily focused on cold calling and new client

acquisition.

Job Summary

The Account Executive is responsible for driving revenue growth by prospecting new advertisers, building a strong sales pipeline, and developing long-term client relationships. This role creates and presents customized, multi-platform advertising solutions across broadcast, streaming, and digital channels, negotiates and closes contracts, and ensures successful campaign execution and performance. The Account Executive also stays informed on market trends, tracks sales performance, and represents the organization within the community to strengthen brand presence and generate new business opportunities.

Expected compensation for this role is between $65,000 and $75,000, based on qualifications and experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Forum Communications Company is a family-owned media and technology leader with more than a century of delivering trusted, quality journalism and innovative business solutions. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are, but today, we’re so much more than a newspaper. As one of the Upper Midwest’s leading media organizations, we’re driving the future across print and digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and full-service agency advertising.

Forum Communications Company offers the following to all Full-Time and 32-Hour Benefited employees:

• Health, dental, and vision packages
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
• Retirement benefits with company match
• Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.

Essential Functions

• Prospecting & Lead Generation
• Research and identify potential advertisers in relevant industries.
• Make cold calls, send outreach emails, and network to develop new business.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline, using any applicable technology to document progress and communication.
• Client Relationship Management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts.
• Build trust and rapport with clients to foster long-term relationships.
• Use available needs analysis tools to better understand clients’ businesses and marketing objectives.
• Sales Presentations & Pitches
• Create customized proposals based on audience demographics, ratings, and market reach.
• Present advertising solutions that integrate TV spots, streaming ads, social media, and digital campaigns.
• Explain broadcast analytics and ROI to clients in a way that’s easy to understand.
• Negotiation & Closing Deals
• Work within established company guidelines while negotiating competitive pricing.
• Write contracts and secure signed agreements.
• Up- and cross-sell additional applicable services and solutions.
• Campaign Coordination
• Collaborate with creative teams to ensure commercials meet client expectations.
• Schedule ad placements and ensure that they run as agreed.
• Monitor campaign performance and make adjustments as needed, or per client request.
• Market Knowledge & Reporting
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends, competitor activity, and audience insights.
• Track individual sales performance to ensure that you are meeting or exceeding revenue goals.
• Report on account activity to sales managers or other leadership.
• Community & Networking
• Attend local events, chamber of commerce functions, and sponsorship activities to promote the organization.
• Represent the broadcast brand in a professional and engaging way.
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate will have education in sales, advertising, marketing, communication and/or public relations; previous working experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Flexibility to travel to surrounding communities may occasionally be required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is insurable by the company. 
• Must carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required by the company