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Media supervisor vs communications specialist

The differences between media supervisors and communications specialists 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 supervisor and a communications specialist. Additionally, a media supervisor has an average salary of $82,267, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.

The top three skills for a media supervisor include media planning, digital marketing and client facing. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.

Media supervisor vs communications specialist overview

Media SupervisorCommunications Specialist
Yearly salary$82,267$51,023
Hourly rate$39.55$24.53
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs8,85842,819
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a media supervisor do?

Media Supervisors help develop the company's overall media messaging and media campaigns. They perform various duties that include creating and distributing press releases to print, radio, digital media, and television outlets, informing the media about the company's new initiatives, and helping to drive interest for the said initiatives. It is their duty to coordinate the company's media buying initiatives and prepare ROI reports based on various key performing indicators such as CPA, CPI, and CPP.

What does a communications specialist do?

A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.

Media supervisor vs communications specialist salary

Media supervisors and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media SupervisorCommunications Specialist
Average salary$82,267$51,023
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $103,000Between $36,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew Jersey
Best paying companyWpp Us Holdings IncGoogle
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between media supervisor and communications specialist education

There are a few differences between a media supervisor and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:

Media SupervisorCommunications Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorMarketingCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityStanford University

Media supervisor vs communications specialist demographics

Here are the differences between media supervisors' and communications specialists' demographics:

Media SupervisorCommunications Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 47.6% Female, 52.4%Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between media supervisor and communications specialist duties and responsibilities

Media supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Lead team on flawless execution of all performance-base media campaigns, including SEM, digital display and paid social.
  • Manage company website including photography of all images, update images and information as necessary.
  • Audit and enhance website to maximize SEO and work with manager and internet team on SEM plan.
  • Overhaul reporting process to identify non-display KPIs, benchmarks and insights.
  • Evaluate and hire developers of content management systems, apps and ads for Facebook.
  • Compose national media proposals utilizing media math and benchmarking reports.
  • Show more

Communications specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all client data and meeting history in Salesforce.
  • Provision, manage PRI-ISDN and IP installation of AARP state offices for AARP video systems.
  • Manage course syllabi, scientific abstracts, reprints and course development according to all ACCME and FDA guidelines.
  • Manage CRM database and develop key communication items such as email blasts, brochures, flyers, and bulletins.
  • Manage website: regularly update content, implement SEO and monitor website activity.
  • Manage and update written communications on organization's Facebook page and other social media outlets
  • Show more

Media supervisor vs communications specialist skills

Common media supervisor skills
  • Media Planning, 11%
  • Digital Marketing, 6%
  • Client Facing, 6%
  • Campaign Performance, 4%
  • Google Analytics, 4%
  • KPIs, 3%
Common communications specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Press Releases, 5%

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