North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2017 Version 2.0

54 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this sector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this sector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this sector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this sector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this sector.

541 - Professional, scientific and technical services

This subsector comprises establishments primarily engaged in activities in which human capital is the major input. These establishments make available the knowledge and skills of their employees, often on an assignment basis. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular expertise and training of the service provider.

The main components of this subsector are legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.

The distinguishing feature of this subsector is the fact that most of the industries grouped in it have production processes that are almost wholly dependent on worker skills. In most of these industries, equipment and materials are not of major importance. Thus, the establishments classified in this subsector sell expertise. Much of the expertise requires a university or college education, though not in every case.

Establishments primarily engaged in providing instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects and those primarily engaged in providing health care by diagnosis and treatment are not included in this subsector.

5418 - Advertising, public relations, and related services

This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating mass-media advertising or public relation campaigns; placing advertising in media for advertisers or advertising agencies; selling media time or space to advertisers or advertising agencies for media owners; creating and implementing indoor or outdoor display advertising campaigns; creating and implementing direct mail advertising campaigns; delivering (except by mail) advertising materials or samples; creating and implementing specialty advertising campaigns; providing related services, such as sign painting and lettering, welcoming services and window trimming services.

54181 - Advertising agencies

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating advertising campaigns and placing such advertising in periodicals and newspapers, on radio and television, on the Internet, or with other media. These establishments are organized to provide a full range of services (through in-house capabilities or subcontracting), including advice, creative services, account management, production of advertising material, media planning, and buying (i.e., placing advertising).

54182 - Public relations services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating and implementing public relation campaigns. These campaigns are designed to promote the interests and image of their clients.

54183 - Media buying agencies

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in purchasing advertising time or space from media owners and reselling it directly to advertising agencies or advertisers.

54184 - Media representatives

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in selling media time or space for media owners.

54185 - Display advertising

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating public display advertising material, such as printed, painted, or electronic displays, and placing such displays on indoor or outdoor billboards and panels, on or within transit vehicles or facilities, in shopping mall displays, and on other display structures or sites.

54186 - Direct mail advertising

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in creating and designing direct mail advertising campaigns, and preparing advertising material for mailing or other direct distribution. These establishments may also compile, maintain, sell and rent mailing lists.

54187 - Advertising material distribution services

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the distribution or delivery, except by mail or electronic distribution, of advertising materials or samples.

54189 - Other services related to advertising

This industry comprises establishments, not classified to any other industry, primarily engaged in providing advertising related services, such as advertising specialties distribution; sign painting and lettering; welcoming services; window trimming services; and writing of advertising copy.