Career as Media Planner
Media Planners are also known as media researchers or media strategists. they are usually higher by business and advertising companies for their expertise in media planning and strategising. They are highly trained individuals who develop effective marketing campaigns for these agencies. They also evaluate their performance and oversee budgets.
Media Planners work with different types of media such as print, electronic media (radio, television), new media (internet) and transit media (promotion through advertising on busses, taxies etc.) They usually work 40 hours a week, this is not a 9 to 5 job so the candidate aming to be a media planner must be comfortable with flexible working hours.
Such individuals have analytical skills and use them for the benefit of the company. They in show that there marketing campaign leads to increase viewership of the organisation. Media planners design media marketing campaigns to enhance the brand awareness among the general public.
Media planners have great communication skills. They are aware of the market researches and understands the target audience of the organisation to reach the company goals. They make sure that the campaigns are effective and are released on air on the scheduled time. After the campaign is released, they track it's progress, look for the area of improvement and estimate its success.
Read More
Eligibility Criteria
Media Planner's jobs involves meticulous working and knowledge of media industry, media planninf, organisational behvavior, management skills, knowledge and and the ability to handle media in the favor of organisation, leadership qualities, etc. Candidates who want to pursue their career as a Media Planner must fulfil the essential eligiblity criteria mentioned below:
- To pursue a career in media planning , rhe candidates must have a bachelors degree in a related field such as mass communication, media planning, business administration, advertising, public relations etc.
- Candidates with internships and practical experience on more preferred in the field of media planning.
- The candidate should have effective communication skills, quick decision-making skills and leadership qualities.
- Attention to detail
- Strategic Communication and planning
- Problem solving
- Time Management
Types of Job Roles
Media Planners have several roles and responsiblities as a part of their diverse job. It is important for them to handle their job role with utmost precision in order to capture and deliver great results to the comapny/business. Media Planners are responsible for making effective campaigns for the organisation and ensure their dilevery on air at the scheduled time. This job comes with certain responsiblities which may include,
- Management : The key role of a media planner is to manage the media for the client. managing the media deals taking approvals from the client and making sure that campaign goes on air schedule on time.
- Reach Target: A media planner is also responsible for identifying the client's target audience to help the client reach the right target audience at the right time with the help of right media.
- Well informed: Media planners must be well informed of the latest media trends going on online platform to make strategies accordingly in order to help the client reach its goal.
- Evaluation of success: They are expected to allocate budget for each campaign and preform an evaluation of success at the end of the campaigns to understand what works and what doesn't.
Admission
To land a job as a Media Planner the candidate should preferbly have a bachelor's or master's degree in the relevent field. Some of the courses which can be pursued after completing the 10+2 qualification are mentioned below:
Bachelor's Degree Programs for Media Planners
- B.A. (Hons) in Media Production
- B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) Mass Communication
- B.Sc in Media Science
Master's Degree Programs for Media Planners
- Master of Journalism
- MA in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Master of Arts in Media and Cultural Studies
- MBA in Media Management
Some of the colleges offering relevent courses are mentioned below:
- Indian Institute of Mass Communications
- Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Indian Institute Of Journalism And New Media
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
- Amity University
- MICA Ahemdabad
- St. Xavier's College
- Indian Institute Of Journalism And New Media
- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- Christ University
Exam
A Media Planner's job inclusive of all theoretical and practical concepts of photography, camera handling, mindful and creative thinking, art of storyteling, leadership skills and much more.
- The Mass Media Industry
- Introduction to Marketing Principles & Concepts
- Public Relations
- Marketing Equipment & Tools
- Content Creation, Design and Strategy
- Advertising & Publicity
- Brand Management
- Regulatory Laws, Licenses and Permissions
- Organisational Behaviour
- Possibilities of Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality
- Communication & Presentation Skills
- Effective Communication Skills
- Creative Writing
- Financial Management for Marketing and Advertising
- Media Planning and Buying
The subjects enables the students to understand the basic concept and functioning of the Media Planner's jobs. They are taught all the relevent subjects and are groomed by imparting practical knowledge. The educators aims towards preparing the students to be industry-ready professionals.
Prep Books
To pursue the job of a Media Planner, the students are required to go through some of the competetive exams. It is important to prepare for the exam properly to secure a seat in the desired course. Candidates must go through as much data as possible to gain knowledge and a thorough understanding of the basic concepts. It is also important to be aware of the current events.
- The Perfect Study Resource for Jamia Millia Islamia by Arihant Publication
- Mass Communication: Principles and Concepts by Seema Hasan
- Handbook of Journalism and Mass Communication by Vir Bala Aggarwal & VS Gupta
- Media Planning & Buying Principles & Practice In The Indian Context - by A. Menon
- The Indian Media Business (English, Paperback, Kohli-Khandekar Vanita)
- The 22 Immutable Laws Of Marketing (English, Paperback, Ries Al)
FAQ's
Brand content organisations, Brand experience organisations Creative agencies, Outdoor agencies, and Direct marketing agencies are some employment opportunities.
A media planner is responsible for developing strategic media plans that determine where and when advertisements will appear to effectively reach a target audience.
Media planners work across various platforms including traditional media like TV, radio, and print, as well as digital platforms such as social media, websites, and streaming services.
