Media Buyer: Responsibilities, Job Description, Salary
Media Buyer is a professional who buys ad space and time for a company or client. They plan where and when ads should run, negotiate prices, and manage these campaigns to reach the target audience and stay within budget.
Key responsibilities of a Media Buyer:
Media Planning: Collaborate with media planners to develop strategies for where and when to place ads.
Negotiation: Negotiate rates and terms with media vendors, including TV networks, radio stations, digital platforms, and print publications.
Campaign Management: Oversee the execution of media campaigns, including scheduling ads and tracking performance.
Budget Management: Distribute the budget for media purchases to achieve campaign goals.
Market Research: Conduct research to understand the target audience and make informed decisions.
Reporting: Prepare reports on campaign performance and media spending for clients or internal stakeholders.
Difference between: junior, middle, senior Media Buyers
The distinction between junior, middle, and senior Media Buyers primarily lies in their level of experience, the scope of responsibilities, and leadership within the organization.
Junior Media Buyer
● Supports the development of media plans by organizing data.● Executes ad placements according to the media plan.● Monitors and records performance metrics.● Helps with scheduling and coordinating ad placements.● Performs market research to support media planning efforts.
Middle Media Buyer
● Creates and manages media campaigns.● Distributes and manages budgets for media campaigns.● Tracks and analyzes campaign performance.● Provides guidance and support to junior media buyers.● Works with marketing, creative, and sales teams.
Senior Media Buyer
● Develops and oversees overall media strategies and plans.● Handles complex negotiations with major media vendors.● Leads the planning, execution, and optimization of media campaigns.● Offers strategic advice to senior management.● Provides detailed analysis of campaign results and make strategic recommendations.
Hard & Soft Skills for a Media Buyer
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
How Much Does a Media Buyer Make?
$45,000 to $65,000 per year
Junior Media Buyer
$65,000 to $90,000 per year
Middle Media Buyer
$90,000 to $130,000+ per year
Senior Media Buyer