To work in the advertising industry as a media department manager you must first understand the media department. The advertising media department is responsible for putting the advertising where the client will get the most for their money. This means advertisements must be placed where the most potential customers will see the advertisement and will cost the client the least amount of money.
In some cases the advertising agency has an advertising media research department if they do the media manager would also head up this group. The research department is the support group for the planners and buyers. The research department is responsible for collecting and organizing data from the different mediums, data collected typically is demographics, circulation, and audience composition. They then compile all the data and use it to educate and support the buyers and planners of the agency.
The advertising media manager plans and puts into place media programs in the advertising campaign. They hold meetings with product managers, advertising agency representatives such as the media planner and buyers. During these meetings the department establishes media goals and objective, and the strategies to achieve the goals and objectives within the specified advertising budget. The media manager ensures that advertising budgeted funds are properly used to ensure clients satisfaction to ensure long term contracts with clients and advertising mediums.
To become an advertising media manager you must have four or more year’s related experience. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for such a position. Skills the advertising media manager must posses are excellent researching skills, the ability to effectively lead a team, computer skills, they should not be afraid of math, they must understand the buying process and the different mediums of advertising must be able to act fast and make quick decisions.
