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The differences between media relations managers and public relations 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 public relations director. Additionally, a public relations director has an average salary of $94,692, 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 public relations director are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.
| Media Relations Manager | Public Relations Director | |
| Yearly salary | $86,031 | $94,692 |
| Hourly rate | $41.36 | $45.52 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 31,281 | 31,693 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| 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 public relations director is an individual who is employed to design and implement marketing strategies that can cultivate the relationship between a company and the media. Public relations directors collaborate with the internal team to boost brand awareness and maximize brand consistency in all advertising efforts. They must arrange interviews and press releases so that they can promote their company and its products or services. They also maintain relationships with the media and should manage sensitive issues to maintain the company's good reputation.
Media relations managers and public relations directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Manager | Public Relations Director | |
| Average salary | $86,031 | $94,692 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $129,000 | Between $59,000 And $150,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | Napa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | Exelixis |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Internet |
There are a few differences between a media relations manager and a public relations director in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Manager | Public Relations Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media relations managers' and public relations directors' demographics:
| Media Relations Manager | Public Relations Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1% |
| 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% |