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Media director vs public relations manager

The differences between media directors and public relations managers 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 director and a public relations manager. Additionally, a media director has an average salary of $112,564, which is higher than the $91,426 average annual salary of a public relations manager.

The top three skills for a media director include digital marketing, video production and media planning. The most important skills for a public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.

Media director vs public relations manager overview

Media DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Yearly salary$112,564$91,426
Hourly rate$54.12$43.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs22,51135,273
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a media director do?

A media director spearheads and oversees a company's entire media-related activities, including marketing and advertising campaigns. They are in charge of setting goals and guidelines, liaising and building positive relationships with external parties, conceptualizing plans for projects and campaigns, and developing strategies to optimize operations. It is also their duty to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a media director, it is essential to monitor the progress of different teams, leading and encouraging them to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

Media director vs public relations manager salary

Media directors and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Average salary$112,564$91,426
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $172,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaNevada
Best paying companyGoogleGoogle
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between media director and public relations manager education

There are a few differences between a media director and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:

Media DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Media director vs public relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between media directors' and public relations managers' demographics:

Media DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.0% Female, 38.0%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between media director and public relations manager duties and responsibilities

Media director example responsibilities.

  • Manage course creation process from media asset creation to LMS formatting.
  • Manage a team performing mastering and short run duplication of 1000-1500 fully finish DVD products per day.
  • Manage online advertising including multiple search engine sponsor link (PPC) campaigns and display campaigns with different traffic providers/networks.
  • Utilize basic HTML, CSS and advance Photoshop techniques to maintain and update the website.
  • Maintain $2600 pvr while keeping high CSI and SSI.
  • Record video clips and post on YouTube and website.
  • Show more

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

Media director vs public relations manager skills

Common media director skills
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Video Production, 9%
  • Media Planning, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 5%
  • Facebook, 4%
  • TV, 4%
Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%

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