Media buyer

Media buyer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Advertising agencies employ media buyers to:

• negotiate the best price, quality and placement of advertisements
• keeping abreast of fluctuations in popularity ratings
• maintain good relationships with media sales staff
• ensure they get the best airtime slots.

Advertising costs are rarely constant, particularly for television broadcasts, where prices are related to viewing figures.

Typical employers of media buyers

Some agencies operate graduate recruitment schemes for which early applications are advisable (contact your careers service for details, or refer to the IPA's 'Advertising Fact File'). A small number of agencies offer vacation placements.

Publications advertising vacancies include national newspapers, Campaign, The Drum, Marketing, Media Week, and Marketing Week. Many posts are never advertised, so speculative applications are essential - Advertisers Annual, BRAD Advertiser and Agency List may be useful for these.

Qualifications and training required

Any degree discipline is acceptable, although journalism, psychology, business studies, public relations, media studies, marketing or management qualifications can be helpful.

Key skills for media buyers

• confidence
• working well under pressure
• good numerical and data management skills
• effective organisational abilities
• good verbal communication skills
• ability to quickly assimilate large amounts of information
• decisiveness.

A good appreciation of what working within advertising involves is helpful, making relevant paid or voluntary work experience desirable.