What does an associate producer do?
An associate producer is an entry-level one position in the television and film industry who assists senior producers in putting a TV program or film together. Associate producers are required to write, edit, and organize scripts and run a teleprompter in newscasts. Most of the assistant producers are required to obtain a bachelor's degree and become editors, writers, or actors to gain experience in television and film. Associate producers are also often assigned to tasks with operational duties such as generating financial reports or status updates.
Associate producer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate producer resumes:
- Lead the process of channel acquisition for YouTube channel properties.
- Manage social media accounts using Hootsuite, TweetDeck, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
- Assist in editing final show to air, create video clips, select viewer emails and manage social media.
- Collaborate with first and third party agencies and vendors to achieve time sensitive goals and satisfy marketing objectives for Xbox.com.
- Oversee the content release process for GameHouse.com, scheduling DRM wrapping and managing the CMS and e-Commerce system for games release.
- Manage client relations, music scores, user interface sound design and FMOD implementation (FM3) on Xbox exclusive titles.
- Cut and post video to the show blog and Facebook page using the CMS system.
- Create scripts, b-roll logs, shoot lists, production schedules, credits, storyboards, and episode descriptions.
- Produce noon and 6 p.m. newscasts
- Develop and produce the DVD special content.
- Organize and conduct NYC and cross-country contestant auditions.
- Track industry trends - entertainment, tech, YouTube, etc.
- Produce several sports specials for football, NASCAR and high school sports.
- Coordinate studio bookings for show guests remotely and at NPR headquarters in Washington.
- Send all sports highlights to NewsoneNet server for all ABC affiliates to download video.
Associate producer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Associate Producers are proficient in Customer Service, Video Content, and Sales Floor. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Associate Producers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 14%
Provided excellent customer service and routinely received commendations from store manager, department manager and customers.
- Video Content, 12%
Develop treatments for Discovery Digital Studios original video content.
- Sales Floor, 6%
Provided excellent customer service while maintaining proper inventory levels on sales floor.
- Control Room, 5%
Monitored all video and graphic elements in control room to ensure availability.
- Instagram, 5%
Manage, organize, and post through Social Media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Production Assistants, 5%
Mentored Production Assistants in day-to-day studio operations including graphics coordination, highlight cutting and Avid editing equipment training.
Common skills that an associate producer uses to do their job include "customer service," "video content," and "sales floor." You can find details on the most important associate producer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an associate producer to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "producers and directors must convey information and ideas clearly in order to coordinate many people to finish a production on time and within budget." Associate producers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "facilitated communication across development team and other departments including marketing, qa, operations, localization and legal. "
Creativity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling associate producer duties is creativity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "because a script may be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide on their approach and on how to represent the script’s ideas for the production." According to an associate producer resume, here's how associate producers can utilize creativity in their job responsibilities: "supported producers with creative and logistical management of live-action video productions. "
Leadership skills. This is an important skill for associate producers to perform their duties. For an example of how associate producer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "directors instruct actors and help them portray their characters in a believable manner." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an associate producer: "prepared weekly briefing packet for production of pbs television program critiqued and edited live taping for post-production editing leadership".
The three companies that hire the most associate producers are:
- Walmart585 associate producers jobs
- Amazon33 associate producers jobs
- NBCUniversal25 associate producers jobs
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Compare different associate producers
Associate producer vs. Freelance video editor
A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between associate producers and freelance video editor. For instance, associate producer responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "sales floor," "control room," and "instagram." Whereas a freelance video editor is skilled in "training videos," "motion graphics," "adobe premiere pro," and "edit video." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Freelance video editors tend to reach similar levels of education than associate producers. In fact, freelance video editors are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Associate producer vs. Photographer, editor
A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, associate producer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "sales floor," "control room," and "production assistants." Meanwhile, a photographer, editor has duties that require skills in areas such as "adobe photoshop," "video cameras," "digital photography," and "adobe premiere." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Photographers, editor earn a higher average salary than associate producers. But photographers, editor earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $55,183. Additionally, associate producers earn the highest salaries in the media with average pay of $46,356 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Photographers, editor tend to reach similar levels of education than associate producers. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate producer vs. Audio visual technician
An audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment. An audiovisual technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and system procedures to perform setups and installment accurately.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from associate producer resumes include skills like "video content," "sales floor," "control room," and "instagram," whereas an audio visual technician is more likely to list skills in "customer satisfaction," "audio visual equipment," "ladders," and "technical aspects. "
Audio visual technicians earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $51,349. Comparatively, associate producers have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $46,356.When it comes to education, audio visual technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to associate producers. In fact, they're 2.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Associate producer vs. Freelance videographer/editor
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
Types of associate producer
Updated January 8, 2025
