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Media assistant vs media planner

The differences between media assistants and media planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a media assistant and a media planner. Additionally, a media planner has an average salary of $58,044, which is higher than the $37,287 average annual salary of a media assistant.

The top three skills for a media assistant include video production, audio equipment and visual equipment. The most important skills for a media planner are media planning, powerpoint, and campaign performance.

Media assistant vs media planner overview

Media AssistantMedia Planner
Yearly salary$37,287$58,044
Hourly rate$17.93$27.91
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs13,89424,126
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 89%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a media assistant do?

Media assistants are professionals who are responsible for providing administrative support to the media operations of an organization. These assistants are required to work closely with the media team to perform tasks such as analyzing media, using media software to keep track of performance and develop strong relationships with media outlets. By coordinating with technical consultants, media assistants must assist in planning various video productions as well as updating the content and graphics of the company's website. They must also develop strategies so that they can increase audience reach across media channels.

What does a media planner do?

A media planner is responsible for managing market campaigns and promotions for clients' advertising needs through various social media platforms and other mediums of communications. Media planners handle the brand's media presence, strategizing its maximum appeal to the target audience. They coordinate closely with the clients for the progress updates, as well as informing them of any adjustments, especially on meeting the public's interests and concerns. A media planner develops innovative techniques, analyzes market data, and manage campaign results, ensuring to meet the clients' objectives and goals.

Media assistant vs media planner salary

Media assistants and media planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media AssistantMedia Planner
Average salary$37,287$58,044
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $54,000Between $48,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyGoogleRPA
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between media assistant and media planner education

There are a few differences between a media assistant and a media planner in terms of educational background:

Media AssistantMedia Planner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 89%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Media assistant vs media planner demographics

Here are the differences between media assistants' and media planners' demographics:

Media AssistantMedia Planner
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between media assistant and media planner duties and responsibilities

Media assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage a budget to purchase equipment and software for multimedia development and campus audio/visual needs.
  • Alter the style of animations and video material for company's YouTube channel and website.
  • Edit game footage to produce highlights that are publish on the WatchND website and WatchND YouTube account.
  • Maintain and update project checklists and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Design, configure, and operate high-end computers used for video/audio editing, and multimedia authoring.
  • Co-Authore the specifications for and supervise the successful installation of a compress video teleconferencing network used for distance learning and videoconferencing.
  • Show more

Media planner example responsibilities.

  • Partner with programmatic buying team to manage DSP campaign and ensure tactics maintain maximum efficiency.
  • Lead monthly meetings with each AE to discuss key accounts and strategize for revenue growth.
  • Manage multiple inboxes handling numerous RFP inquiries from top tier clients while training new employees on processes.
  • Manage multiple million dollar budgets, budget analysis and reconciliations.
  • Manage MRI research system generating specific demographic information for media recommendations.
  • Experience with Comscore, Nielsen, Kantar & Mediamind.
  • Show more

Media assistant vs media planner skills

Common media assistant skills
  • Video Production, 20%
  • Audio Equipment, 6%
  • Visual Equipment, 6%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Press Releases, 5%
  • Library Materials, 3%
Common media planner skills
  • Media Planning, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Campaign Performance, 5%
  • MRI, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Nielsen, 4%

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