Last Updated: November 3, 2020

The media is a fickle creature.

At times both incredibly beneficial and highly risky, connecting with media representatives allows companies to market their products and increase buzz over goods and services. While pumping money into advertising campaigns is a highly successful strategy, it isn’t as easy as creating an ad and hoping for the best.

What do they do?

Location and Opportunity

According to Indeed.com, several areas need media directors. Across the country, the following locations are hiring media directors:

  • New York, NY
  • Dallas, TX
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Washington, DC
  • Chicago, IL

Media directors manage the selection and purchase of advertising space, whether that be print, broadcast, digital, or television. They use statistical analysis of each media outlet to determine the most cost effective way of reaching their target audience.

Media directors are in charge of media coordinators and media buyers, working in tandem to ensure an advertising or outreach campaign goes according to the overall media plan. Media plans involve determining where to place ads, how expensive the ads will be, and what kind of return on investment marketers can expect.

They frequently interact with many marketing officials to facilitate the media outreach process. Whether they’re involved with buying negotiation, tactic planning, or target audience research, they work with a variety of professionals including:

Qualifications

Our Recommended Schools

  1. Grand Canyon University (GCU)

    GCU's Colangelo College of Business offers leading edge degrees that address the demands of contemporary business environments.

  2. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)

    Explore the bond between business and consumer behavior with a degree in marketing.

Media directors have an understanding of media communications, including speaking with television executives and advertising managers about the raw numbers behind an advertising campaign. They must have excellent budget negotiation skills, and can show through research how a campaign will effect sales.

Most media directors earn bachelor’s degrees in communications or marketing before entering the position.

Become a Media Director

Companies place high value on media directors who help them implement award-winning or exemplary marketing campaigns. This value is reflected in their salaries, with most media directors earning $121,000 a year. Higher-level and more successful media directors typically earn more than $150,000.

If you’re interested in learning more about buying and purchasing advertising space based on sound research, contact schools offering degrees in marketing.