In fact, About.com, 24/7 Media, and Triad Retail Media all officially committed to giving a sales hiring preference to people who have passed the exam. Collective also requires applicants to take the test.
“Just as the legal profession has the Bar Exam, the digital media profession has craved a similar educational ‘gold standard’ for interactive
24/7 Media SVP Lee Sparaga agreed that the exam, which is geared towards salespeople with 2-5 years of digital experience, helps set an industry standard.
The certification, which costs $350 for IAB members and $450 for others, aims to "establish an educational standard that aligns with the skill sets and extensive knowledge base that salespeople need to succeed," said IAB VP of training and development Michael Theodore.