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The differences between media relations managers 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 manager and a media director. Additionally, a media director has an average salary of $112,564, which is higher than the $86,031 average annual salary of a media relations manager.
The top three skills for a media relations manager include press releases, strategic communications and external communications. The most important skills for a media director are digital marketing, video production, and media planning.
| Media Relations Manager | Media Director | |
| Yearly salary | $86,031 | $112,564 |
| Hourly rate | $41.36 | $54.12 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 31,281 | 22,511 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A media relations manager is in charge of devising strategies to raise brand awareness through media communications. Their responsibilities typically revolve around creating newsletters and print materials, identify media opportunities, assist in writing communication materials such as speech and press releases, and maintain positive relationships with the media. One may also handle social networking platforms, develop new marketing concepts, and manage media campaigns. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all 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 managers and media directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Manager | Media Director | |
| Average salary | $86,031 | $112,564 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $129,000 | Between $73,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Professional |
There are a few differences between a media relations manager and a media director in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Manager | Media Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media relations managers' and media directors' demographics:
| Media Relations Manager | Media Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | 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% |