Advertising media buyer
Media buyers book advert airtime on TV, radio and online channels, and purchase space in newspapers, magazines and public areas.
Also known as: Media buyer, TV, radio or digital buyer, out of home buyer
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an advertising media buyer, you could:
- work closely with media planners to meet the client's requirements
- find the most suitable advertising display spaces for the target audience
- negotiate ad package deals and costs with media suppliers
- use software to bid for space and to monitor its cost effectiveness
- build good relationships with clients and media sales companies
- manage project timescales and buying budgets
- analyse audience data and prepare reports for media managers
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
You may need to wear smart business clothes.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- the ability to sell products and services
- the ability to use your initiative
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a advertising media buyer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- a graduate trainee scheme
University
You could study for a foundation degree or degree in a subject, like:
- advertising and marketing
- communication and media studies
- business management
- maths, statistics or operational research
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an Advertising Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with an agency, or an Assistant Buyer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with a retail business.
These would give you the skills and knowledge needed to move into advertising media buying roles.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as an admin assistant or assistant buyer with an agency team.
From there, you could become a media buyer through on-the-job training and promotion.
Volunteering
Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising. You could try:
- volunteering
- internships
- temporary jobs
Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with agencies about potential opportunities.
Other routes
If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior media buyer or media manager, or choose to specialise in buying digital or traditional advertising space.
You might also move into:
- media planning
- account planning
- market research data analysis
Career tips
Some employers combine the roles of media buyer with media planner , which means you could get a wide range of experience before specialising in the role you prefer.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) , for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleAdvertising media planner
- Job roleAdvertising account executive
- Job roleMarketing executive
- Job roleAdvertising account planner
- Job roleRetail buyer
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