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- Work in an advertising agency planning where to place ads
- Analyse data to find the best media options for your clients
- Work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
Media Planners develop strategies that determine which media channels should be used to communicate with a client’s target audience. These strategies flow from the brand’s communications strategy and often need to be developed in conjunction with the client’s creative agency. The resulting media plans are informed by quantitative and qualitative research data sources.
Your job would be to choose the best places for your client to advertise and come up with a plan for the timing and placement of their campaigns.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Meet with the client and an account executive
- Understand the client's advertising needs
- Research how the target audience uses different media
- Plan the best times and places to show advertisements
- Present plans and costings to clients
- Work closely with creative teams and researchers
- Work with a media buyer to work out costs and book advertising space
- Build close working relationships with other media organisations
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could be working on several accounts (with several clients) at the same time. You could work at a client's business or in an office. You may need to have a flexible approach to your working hours which may include working evenings and some weekends.
You'll need
Many employers will ask for a degree, foundation degree or HND in a subject like advertising, marketing, statistics or operational research, communication and media studies, business or management psychology - but you don't always need a degree and you could also get into this work through gaining work experience or an advertising and media executive advanced apprenticeship.
You'll need creativity, organisational skills, analytical skills, and an interest in different types of advertising media. You may be able to work your way up from an administrator or junior role at a smaller agency.
You'll find it useful to get experience to help you understand the industry and to meet people who may help you find paid work. You could try work experience, internships, or temp roles.
You could contact agencies directly to ask about placements, and make industry contacts through social networking sites like Twitter or LinkedIn.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and a good track-record, you may progress into account management or become a senior planner or manager. You could also go freelance.