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.
Media assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real media assistant resumes:
- 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.
- Provide rural clinics with the sales and service of videoconferencing equipment.
- Coordinate the programming of CCTV systems, satellite systems and web-cast.
- Monitor CCTV surveillance monitors to provide security in various areas of the campus.
- Co-Authore the specifications for and supervise the successful installation of a compress video teleconferencing network used for distance learning and videoconferencing.
Media assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Media Assistants are proficient in Video Production, Audio Equipment, and Visual Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Media Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Video Production, 20%
Scheduled software and media equipment using IBM mainframe server and distributed video productions for educational/instructional use.
- Audio Equipment, 6%
Assist individuals in utilizing library equipment, such as computers, iPads, cameras and audio equipment.
- Visual Equipment, 6%
Set up audio/visual equipment -Troubleshot and repaired audio/visual equipment -Provided help desk services for professors -Trained 6 employees
- Photography, 5%
Cover University Advancement and Alumni Association events with videos and photography support.
- Press Releases, 5%
Job Responsibilities: Write press releases or other media communications to promote organization.
- Library Materials, 3%
Circulated library materials for students and staff using an electronic library circulation system.
Most media assistants use their skills in "video production," "audio equipment," and "visual equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential media assistant responsibilities here:
Organizational skills. The most essential soft skill for a media assistant to carry out their responsibilities is organizational skills. This skill is important for the role because "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Additionally, a media assistant resume shows how their duties depend on organizational skills: "facilitated communications with external organizational leaders; managed out-going media, incoming conference media materials, and promotional videos for speakers. "
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling media assistant duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." According to a media assistant resume, here's how media assistants can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "directed p.s.as for anti-alcohol/anti-tobacco campaigns/design/public relations from survey organized/managed/presented press conferences/crafted press releases/maintained grants"
Writing skills. media assistants are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to media assistant responsibilities, because "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." A media assistant resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "key responsibilities: writing press releases feature writing assisted with research projects"
Problem-solving skills. media assistant responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." This resume example shows what media assistants do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "generated all insertion orders, approved invoices, resolved billing problems and provided back up reports for all media buys. "
The three companies that hire the most media assistants are:
- Liberty University
3 media assistants jobs
- Active Media Services3 media assistants jobs
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology2 media assistants jobs
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Compare different media assistants
Media assistant vs. Public relations coordinator
A public relations coordinator is responsible for developing brand awareness for the organization's brand image. Public relations coordinators work closely with the marketing department to manage marketing campaigns, mainly social media platforms and events, promoting the organization. A public relations coordinator assists with press releases, media coverage, investor relations, and responding to clients' inquiries and concerns. Public relations coordinators also analyze current market trends to identify business opportunities that would meet public demands. They must have excellent communication skills, as well as be highly organized with meeting deadlines under minimal supervision.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media assistant responsibilities require skills like "video production," "audio equipment," "visual equipment," and "photography." Meanwhile a typical public relations coordinator has skills in areas such as "facebook," "event planning," "press materials," and "media management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Public relations coordinators tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $48,390. In contrast, media assistants make the biggest average salary, $41,558, in the professional industry.On average, public relations coordinators reach similar levels of education than media assistants. Public relations coordinators are 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Media assistant vs. Public relations internship
A public relations intern is responsible for assisting the public relations department in creating content to engage customers and prospective clients in availing of the goods and services of the company. Public relations interns participate in meetings to suggest strategies and observe areas of improvement. They also perform administrative duties as needed, post social media updates, review press releases, and research market trends. A public relations intern must be detail-oriented and communicative to assist customers with their concerns and inquiries.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, media assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "video production," "audio equipment," "visual equipment," and "photography." Meanwhile, a public relations internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "facebook," "press clippings," "event planning," and "blog posts." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Public relations interns may earn a lower salary than media assistants, but public relations interns earn the most pay in the non profits industry with an average salary of $32,969. On the other hand, media assistants receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,558.In general, public relations interns achieve similar levels of education than media assistants. They're 0.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for media assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Eve Oishi Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair, Claremont Graduate University
Media assistant vs. Communications internship
When it comes to a communications internship, the tasks will vary depending on the organization or industry involved. However, one of the primary responsibilities is to observe proper etiquette in dealing with people and other situations. There will also be the need to accomplish administrative tasks such as producing paperwork and other documentation forms, maintaining records in a database, designing presentations, and coordinating with other team members. Furthermore, it is also important to develop various ideas that will help in multiple projects involving public relations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, media assistants are more likely to have skills like "video production," "audio equipment," "visual equipment," and "photography." But a communications internship is more likely to have skills like "patients," "customer service," "web content," and "facebook."
Communications interns earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,090. Comparatively, media assistants have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $41,558.When it comes to education, communications interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to media assistants. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Media assistant vs. Communications specialist
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between media assistants and communications specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a media assistant might have more use for skills like "video production," "audio equipment," "visual equipment," and "photography." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of communications specialists require skills like "customer service," "patients," "web content," and "project management. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for communications specialists, with average annual pay of $59,589. Comparatively, the highest media assistant annual salary comes from the professional industry.In general, communications specialists hold similar degree levels compared to media assistants. Communications specialists are 4.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of media assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
