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The differences between media relations directors and media 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 relations director and a media director. Additionally, a media relations director has an average salary of $115,268, which is higher than the $112,564 average annual salary of a media director.
The top three skills for a media relations director include web content, spokesperson and crisis communications. The most important skills for a media director are digital marketing, video production, and media planning.
| Media Relations Director | Media Director | |
| Yearly salary | $115,268 | $112,564 |
| Hourly rate | $55.42 | $54.12 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,391 | 22,511 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Media Relations Director spearheads and oversees the brand image and overall media relations of an organization. They are responsible for making advertising and marketing decisions, setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, managing and coordinating directors, liaising with internal and external parties, delegating tasks among teams, and developing strategies from planning to execution. A Media Relations Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Media relations directors and media directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Director | Media Director | |
| Average salary | $115,268 | $112,564 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $188,000 | Between $73,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Phoenix Children's | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a media relations director and a media director in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Director | Media Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media relations directors' and media directors' demographics:
| Media Relations Director | Media Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |