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Digital strategist vs media manager

The differences between digital strategists and media managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a digital strategist, becoming a media manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a media manager has an average salary of $96,475, which is higher than the $72,491 average annual salary of a digital strategist.

The top three skills for a digital strategist include digital marketing, digital strategy and google analytics. The most important skills for a media manager are digital marketing, kpis, and media planning.

Digital strategist vs media manager overview

Digital StrategistMedia Manager
Yearly salary$72,491$96,475
Hourly rate$34.85$46.38
Growth rate19%10%
Number of jobs25,123110,888
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age3739
Years of experience610

What does a digital strategist do?

A digital strategist is responsible for managing and releasing digital media content to promote brand awareness on media platforms for the target audience. Digital strategists work closely with the creative and marketing team to establish effective online campaigns and engaging assets to attract customers in the market. They also monitor the efficiency and accuracy of the company's digital media channels, implementing strategic procedures to maintain its effectiveness on a growing customer base according to clients' standards and business requirements.

What does a media manager do?

Media managers oversee the department that works on the different communication needs of the company. They execute the communications strategies of the company. They are expected to be updated with the current trends on media platforms. They should also be very familiar with the company and are attuned to the company's brand and image so that they can create relevant communications campaigns. Media managers oversee content creation on different media platforms. They manage the research related to the content they are working on. They develop materials and ensure that these materials are engaging and relatable to the target audience.

Digital strategist vs media manager salary

Digital strategists and media managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital StrategistMedia Manager
Average salary$72,491$96,475
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $106,000Between $66,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateDelawarePennsylvania
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between digital strategist and media manager education

There are a few differences between a digital strategist and a media manager in terms of educational background:

Digital StrategistMedia Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Digital strategist vs media manager demographics

Here are the differences between digital strategists' and media managers' demographics:

Digital StrategistMedia Manager
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 55.8% Female, 44.2%Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between digital strategist and media manager duties and responsibilities

Digital strategist example responsibilities.

  • Negotiate deals to buy products and inventory from partner networks and to optimize campaigns to achieve maximum ROI.
  • Manage company website and content population using WordPress.
  • Manage an internal development and QA staff with on-going freelance/contractor support.
  • Engage to provide consultation and project management services on digital and CRM programs.
  • Task with providing insights, think leadership, digital/social strategy and CRM engagement.
  • Develop ad strategies to drive Facebook users to websites and, ultimately, purchase.
  • Show more

Media manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage B2C media campaigns from inception to reporting.
  • Evaluate, select and manage relationships with PPC technology vendors.
  • Lead intranet and internet maintenance, content, development and marketing.
  • Execute vendor fund campaigns to achieve KPIs base on each individual brand s needs and drive ecommerce sales.
  • Utilize CRM software to maintain contacts, leads, ad sales, sales reports and advertisement run sheets.
  • Manage search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising for several B2B and health care clients.
  • Show more

Digital strategist vs media manager skills

Common digital strategist skills
  • Digital Marketing, 19%
  • Digital Strategy, 6%
  • Google Analytics, 6%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Project Management, 3%
  • Client Facing, 3%
Common media manager skills
  • Digital Marketing, 19%
  • KPIs, 5%
  • Media Planning, 4%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Google Analytics, 3%

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