In the advertising industry advertising media buyers track the media space and times available for purchase within the advertising mediums such as TV, newspaper, radio etc. Advertising media buyers negotiate and purchase time and space for ads, and make sure ads appear exactly as scheduled. Advertising media buyers, have the responsibility for buying media as part of an overall integrated marketing strategy or advertising campaign. Media buyers take the media plan determined by the media planners, and make the actual ''buys'' of air time, magazine pages, billboard space. Media buyers do so by contacting the representatives from the different media companies, checking on availability, and negotiating prices for each buy.
In order to become a media buyer one must have a background in marketing and statistics and years of experience within the advertising media department. An education in the advertising industry is a plus. Personal qualities one must poses is you must be a highly experienced negotiator, you must secure popular advertising slots at the lowest price possible to negotiate, although most advertising prices are set, it is almost always possible to secure a better location or price with negotiating. You must be able to think quickly and make decisions promptly. For the space may be bought by another buyer. Advertising media buyers are responsible for making sure the creative needs are met at the best possible price. As a media buyer be prepared to crunch numbers!
The assistant buyer is an entry level position. The advertising media assistant buyers do a fair amount of number crunching. This is a good time to familiarize yourself with the buying process and the different mediums of advertising, for someday you will be directly involved in the buying process. In order to move up the ladder to the buyers’ position you must first fine tune your negotiating skills.
