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Media director vs publication director

The differences between media directors and publication directors 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 publication director. Additionally, a media director has an average salary of $112,564, which is higher than the $87,824 average annual salary of a publication director.

The top three skills for a media director include digital marketing, video production and media planning. The most important skills for a publication director are website content, press releases, and government agencies.

Media director vs publication director overview

Media DirectorPublication Director
Yearly salary$112,564$87,824
Hourly rate$54.12$42.22
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs22,51114,660
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
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 publication director do?

A publication director spearheads and oversees the operations of publishing establishments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They have the authority to make publication decisions, set goals, establish guidelines and timelines, delegate tasks and resources among teams, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They also monitor the workflow and the performance of the workforce, addressing issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a publication director leads and encourages staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, developing new ones as needed.

Media director vs publication director salary

Media directors and publication directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media DirectorPublication Director
Average salary$112,564$87,824
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $172,000Between $49,000 And $154,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACarson City, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaDelaware
Best paying companyGoogleBiogen
Best paying industryProfessionalMedia

Differences between media director and publication director education

There are a few differences between a media director and a publication director in terms of educational background:

Media DirectorPublication Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Media director vs publication director demographics

Here are the differences between media directors' and publication directors' demographics:

Media DirectorPublication Director
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.0% Female, 38.0%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
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, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between media director and publication director 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

Publication director example responsibilities.

  • Manage media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities the organizations.
  • Promote expansion of Medicaid coverage at the federal and state level.
  • Create & maintain SEAPOWER Facebook page, where all online articles are place, driving page views back to the website.
  • Serve as representative to senior management team during community events and company spokesperson for division, including to nonprofit sector clients.
  • Draft pleadings and serve subpoenas.
  • Complete all investigative reports including incident reports, subpoenas, arrest warrants, and witness statements.
  • Show more

Media director vs publication director skills

Common media director skills
  • Digital Marketing, 10%
  • Video Production, 9%
  • Media Planning, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 5%
  • Facebook, 4%
  • TV, 4%
Common publication director skills
  • Website Content, 12%
  • Press Releases, 11%
  • Government Agencies, 9%
  • Public Policy Issues, 6%
  • Government Relations, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%

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