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What does a media specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Kim Smith Ph.D.
What does a media specialist do

Media specialists are individuals who establish and administer content on various social media platforms. The job involves monitoring site metrics, overseeing creative design, and responding to reader comments. Specialists offer advice to administrators and teachers on the use of non-print social media. They work for huge enterprises with multimedia departments, new media departments, and in-house websites. The skills the job requires include trend awareness, social media ads, community management, strong visual aesthetic, and understanding SEO.

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Media specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real media specialist resumes:

  • Develop fresh leads to connect with by utilizing LinkedIn connections and resources.
  • Manage content for and development of the museum's Drupal website, cartermuseum.org.
  • Manage teams for film, video, animation, & multimedia creation of any kind.
  • Assign to work as a media associate at Starcom managing a portion of the Kellogg's account.
  • Develop and manage proprietary PPC support material.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions, proofread and edit marketing materials, manage magazine inventory.
  • Post content using the CMS.
  • Award 2nd place in the 2015 Q3 SEM sales contest for the central regions.
  • Create online campaign reports using Google DoubleClick software.
  • Record scores by email, twitter or phone calls from coaches.
  • Maintain the company's social media pages, including LinkedIn and Facebook.
  • Update final scores onto the scoreboard as well as the HighSchoolOT twitter feed.
  • Capture and edit video and photo footage to promote organization on Instagram and FaceBook.
  • Collaborate with digital and activation teams to QA and make appropriate adjustments to campaigns.
  • Keep church website and social media pages (Facebook & YouTube) up to date.

Media specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Media Specialists are proficient in Digital Marketing, Video Production, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Problem-solving skills, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Media Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Digital Marketing, 14%

    Negotiated and increased annual buys with local and national advertising agencies by packaging existing schedule with digital marketing components.

  • Video Production, 7%

    Researched and suggested various software solutions that doubled productivity in video production; responsible for Macintosh service and support.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Retail experience selling electronic media and related accessories, which entailed tremendous amounts of customer interaction and customer service skills.

  • Web Content, 5%

    Design custom graphic user interfaces for in-flight-entertainment devices, print advertisements, web content and misc.

  • Google Analytics, 4%

    Administer security and analyze website visitor behavior using Google Analytics software.

  • Google Adwords, 3%

    Received certification in Internet Marketing Fundamentals Training, Display Advertising, Content Marketing and Google AdWords.

Most media specialists use their skills in "digital marketing," "video production," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential media specialist responsibilities here:

Organizational skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a media specialist to have is organizational skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Media specialists often use organizational skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop and implement digital content strategy to support advocacy priorities and promote the organizational brand. "

Problem-solving skills. Many media specialist duties rely on problem-solving skills. "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues," so a media specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways media specialist responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "worked closely with client service manager, developed solutions and advised client on media planning, buying and strategy. "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of media specialists is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday media specialist duties, as "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "prepare press releases and quotes for church spokespersons in both proactive and reactive media situations. "

Writing skills. media specialist responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." This resume example shows what media specialists do with writing skills on a typical day: "design press releases and promotional writing to increase the notoriety of company brands and events. "

Most common media specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most media specialists are:

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Compare different media specialists

Media specialist vs. Public relations coordinator

A public relations coordinator is responsible for developing brand awareness for the organization's brand image. Public relations coordinators work closely with the marketing department to manage marketing campaigns, mainly social media platforms and events, promoting the organization. A public relations coordinator assists with press releases, media coverage, investor relations, and responding to clients' inquiries and concerns. Public relations coordinators also analyze current market trends to identify business opportunities that would meet public demands. They must have excellent communication skills, as well as be highly organized with meeting deadlines under minimal supervision.

We looked at the average media specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a public relations coordinator. Generally speaking, public relations coordinators are paid $4,607 lower than media specialists per year.Even though media specialists and public relations coordinators are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require web content, google analytics, and seo in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a media specialist are more likely to require skills like "digital marketing," "video production," "customer service," and "google adwords." On the other hand, a job as a public relations coordinator requires skills like "facebook," "event planning," "press materials," and "press clippings." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Public relations coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $48,390. On the other hand, media specialists are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $57,470.The education levels that public relations coordinators earn slightly differ from media specialists. In particular, public relations coordinators are 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a media specialist. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Media specialist vs. Digital media internship

In a digital media internship, an intern participates in various creative projects while under the supervision and guidance of a supervising manager or staff. They usually perform support tasks to gather industry insights and experience, which typically includes creating digital content according to project guidelines and themes, conducting research and analyses, utilizing client feedback, and handling digital platforms, such as websites and social media pages. They also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing documents, taking calls and other forms of correspondence, and running errands as necessary.

Digital media internship positions earn lower pay than media specialist roles. They earn a $18,799 lower salary than media specialists per year.A few skills overlap for media specialists and digital media interns. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "digital marketing," "video production," and "web content. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that media specialist responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "seo," "marketing campaigns," and "project management." But a digital media internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "facebook," "digital content," "data analysis," and "content management system."

On average, digital media interns earn a lower salary than media specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, digital media interns earn the most pay in the non profits industry with an average salary of $32,658. Whereas media specialists have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $57,470.In general, digital media interns achieve lower levels of education than media specialists. They're 5.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for media specialists in the next 3-5 years?

Kim Smith Ph.D.Kim Smith Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, St. Norbert College

Looking forward, we will continue to see trends in automation and connectivity. The push to digitize and automate will continue to change the nature of many jobs and introduce new opportunities to manage and innovate alongside these changes. Technologies that can self-direct and self-produce will be standard. As workplace processes continue to evolve, individuals who are adaptable and creative will fare well. Simultaneously, technologies that can connect people across space and time will be in high demand. Platforms that can simultaneously support and facilitate multiple tasks and interpersonal goals will be necessary for employers and employees looking for ways to establish and maintain their personal and professional identities and relationships

Media specialist vs. Communications associate

A communications associate is responsible for assisting with writing and communication projects and tasks within an organization. They are responsible for planning and implementing communication strategies, overseeing the company's media promotion, and editing and proofreading communication materials and texts. As a communications associate, you will be most likely to manage an organization's online presence by developing, updating, or revising its website and creating copy for social media. You also must cultivate and consolidate good media relations, and oversee the company's promotion campaigns and advertising.

On average, communications associates earn lower salaries than media specialists, with a $6,355 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on media specialists and communications associates resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer service," "web content," and "google analytics.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a media specialist is likely to be skilled in "digital marketing," "video production," "google adwords," and "marketing campaigns," while a typical communications associate is skilled in "patients," "facebook," "administrative tasks," and "blog posts."

Communications associates earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $63,395. Media specialists earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $57,470.communications associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to media specialists. Specifically, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Media specialist vs. Social media internship

In a social media internship, the primary role is to take part in managing a brand's social media platforms for public relations. One of their primary duties is to craft informative and captivating content while under the supervision and guidelines of a manager or supervisor. Furthermore, there may also be instances where an intern must participate in devising strategies that would bring more public recognition to the brand, such as social media campaigns to boost sales and improve client base.

Social media interns typically earn lower pay than media specialists. On average, social media interns earn a $19,687 lower salary per year.According to resumes from media specialists and social media interns, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "web content," "google analytics," and "google adwords. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A media specialist uses "digital marketing," "video production," "customer service," and "seo." Social media interns are more likely to have duties that require skills in "facebook insights," "social media marketing," "hootsuite," and "social platforms. "In general, social media interns earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $33,136. The highest-paying industry for a media specialist is the professional industry.In general, social media interns hold lower degree levels compared to media specialists. Social media interns are 6.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of media specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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