What does a media associate do?
A media associate performs varied duties and responsibilities for an organization. As a media associate, you are responsible for managing a company's social media content, analyzing media and communications training requirements, and assisting in the development of communication strategies. Other duties include developing content for websites and social media channels, managing the editorial calendar, and supporting search and development marketing. You are also responsible for preparing media lists targeting journalists who focus on prime policy issues.
Media associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real media associate resumes:
- Manage Facebook page and Etsy shop.
- Manage blogs and microsites using best practices for SEO.
- Assist managing social platforms and initiate the most popular weekly post on the company s Facebook page.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions, proofread and edit marketing materials, manage magazine inventory.
- Film events, conduct interviews, edit videos and promote the gym via Youtube and Vimeo.
- Support communication initiatives including monthly newsletters, integrate Facebook campaigns, photography and copy choices for quarterly magazine circulation.
- Lead agency brand team in new business efforts, including CRM database management, research, proposal and presentation.
- Implement new CRM database and spearhead agency efforts into marketing automation.
- Develop content for promotions and giveaways while building fan engagement.
Media associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Media Associates are proficient in Digital Marketing, PowerPoint, and Facebook. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Problem-solving skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Media Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Digital Marketing, 11%
Reviewed proposals, negotiated pricing, and placed media buys, including broadcast and digital marketing.
- PowerPoint, 9%
Prepared and delivered PowerPoint presentations to internal and external clients on industry trends, team processes, and procedures.
- Facebook, 6%
Helped manage social media outlets including Facebook, Twitter, and StumbleUpon to increase brand awareness and external participation.
- Press Releases, 6%
Authored earned media pieces, press releases and media advisories; provided editorial review for collateral prepared by junior staff members.
- Media Planning, 5%
Executed Regional Media Planning and strategies for Roche, and Coca Cola in major countries in Latin America.
- Twitter, 5%
Developed new social media strategies towards increased customer outreach and community and potential viral marketing possibilities on both Twitter and Facebook.
Most media associates use their skills in "digital marketing," "powerpoint," and "facebook" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential media associate responsibilities here:
Organizational skills. One of the key soft skills for a media associate to have is organizational skills. You can see how this relates to what media associates do 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 associate resume shows how media associates use organizational skills: "planned & built reports & editorial calendars for organizational & analytical purposes. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform media associate duties is problem-solving skills. Media associates responsibilities require that "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." Media associates also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide first and second level technical assistance and problem resolution for technology in the classrooms general network installation and support"
Speaking skills. media associates are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to media associate responsibilities, because "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." A media associate resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "prepared and presented quantitative and qualitative media research reports. "
Writing skills. A big part of what media associates do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to media associate responsibilities because "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical media associate tasks: "supported rebranded copywriting of 5 industry website landing pages. "
The three companies that hire the most media associates are:
- AAA FACILITY SERVICES8 media associates jobs
- Spencer Stuart6 media associates jobs
- Laundry Service4 media associates jobs
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Compare different media associates
Media associate vs. Communications coordinator
A communications coordinator is responsible for overseeing the communications department's operations, developing the brand image, and monitoring press releases, company articles, and other related marketing materials for business promotion and visibility. Communications coordinators actively interact with existing and potential clients, negotiate contracts, and build profitable partnerships. They also develop strategic procedures for creating the business' online presence, organizing promotional events, and media conferences. A communications coordinator must have excellent communication and organization skills to maintain a good reputation and customer satisfaction.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media associate responsibilities require skills like "digital marketing," "media planning," "campaign performance," and "client facing." Meanwhile a typical communications coordinator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "event planning," "patients," and "community events." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Communications coordinators tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,362. In contrast, media associates make the biggest average salary, $52,422, in the professional industry.The education levels that communications coordinators earn slightly differ from media associates. In particular, communications coordinators are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a media associate. Additionally, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Media associate vs. Publications coordinator
A publications coordinator is responsible for assisting the publishing processes from the drafting to the distribution of materials. Publications coordinators check the accuracy and quality of the content, ensuring that the materials are free from plagiarism and adhere to publishing guidelines and regulations. They also follow publishing deadlines and confirm the submission of all materials in printing. A publication coordinator assists the marketing team in promoting the organization's products by handling and updating social media accounts, as well as searching for the recent trends as an issue for the next publications.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real media associate resumes. While media associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "digital marketing," "media planning," "campaign performance," and "client facing," publications coordinators use skills like "public affairs," "graphic design," "public health," and "sharepoint."
Publications coordinators may earn a higher salary than media associates, but publications coordinators earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $51,570. On the other hand, media associates receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $52,422.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Publications coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than media associates. In fact, they're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for media associates in the next 3-5 years?
Eve Oishi Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair, Claremont Graduate University
Media associate vs. Campaign coordinator
A campaign coordinator is responsible for managing media campaigns and press communications for marketing efforts on business or other industry needs. Campaign coordinators perform administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a campaign manager and develop event activities according to the campaign theme and requirements. They also coordinate schedules with the participants, suppliers, and third-party vendors. A campaign coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting reports, managing expenses, and responding to inquiries and concerns.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, media associates are more likely to have skills like "web content," "instagram," "client facing," and "kpis." But a campaign coordinator is more likely to have skills like "crm," "community outreach," "salesforce," and "event logistics."
Campaign coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $44,584. Comparatively, media associates have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $52,422.When it comes to education, campaign coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to media associates. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Media associate 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.
Types of media associate
Updated January 8, 2025
