OVERVIEW
What Is a Media Analyst?
A media analyst measures the effectiveness of a company’s marketing campaigns through data research and evaluation reports. In these efforts, media analysts help companies maximize their brand and make smart marketing investments. This marketing professional finds success in their role by using statistical models and data analysis to draw conclusions. The main requirements of this role are to write recommendations based on findings, use subjective and objective judgment to determine marketing reach, maximize the organization’s exposure, and determine public perception of the brand as positive or negative. Media analysts are particularly important when a company’s brand is perceived negatively because they can use their expertise to inform marketing actions that can yield a more positive view among key audiences. In situations like this, media analysts are experts at suggesting corrective measures and preventing the organization from developing or perpetuating a bad reputation.
Media analysts most commonly work in media organizations where they act as research and information experts for external clients and other media organization staff. Some of their common places of work include:
- Media analysis firms
- Media owners
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Press cutting agencies
- Radio stations
- Television channels
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Media Analyst Do?
The weight of responsibility on the shoulders of media analysts is heavy. They are responsible for measuring the success of a company’s marketing efforts and helping the optimization of brand presence. Some of the main duties of a media analyst include:
- Choosing which research methods to use for a particular query.
- Designing and communicating research methods such as focus groups or questionnaires.
- Using numerical analysis and information technology to maximize raw information research and properly analyze findings.
- Entering press coverage data into a database that is personalized for each client.
- Performing final checks on coverage before processing.
- Attending in-house and external information sessions.
- Providing general support and information to the coding team and others working on the specific client’s account.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Media Analyst?
Media analyst jobs require professionals to have a bachelor’s degree, although even more advanced education will earn you more competitive roles and a higher salary. Find details on what you need to do to start your career as a media analyst below.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
- Apply for media analyst or other marketing internships to get relevant experience to apply for entry-level roles (this step can begin while you earn your bachelor’s degree or following graduation).
If you’re interested in pursuing an advanced role...
- Earn an MBA degree or master’s degree in marketing.
- Have at least two years of experience working as a media analyst at a marketing agency, media company, or related organization.
- Possess advanced knowledge of media analytics and social media networking.
Best Degrees for a Media Analyst
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,530 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
How Much Does a Media Analyst Make?
$63,920
Media analyst salaries range depending on experience and geographical location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a media analyst in the United States is $63,920 per year. The top 25% of media analysts earn around $126,000 per year. The lowest 25% of media analysts earn around $48,000 USD per year.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
18%
The BLS reports a projected growth for media analysts of 18% by 2029.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Media Analyst Need?
In order to comprehensively follow press coverage of a company's product and successfully conduct market research, media analysts need a robust set of skills. Some of these include:
- Attention to detail: Since a major part of the role is working with media analytics, attention to detail is necessary to identify important trends.
- Inquisitiveness: Raw data on its own may not bear obvious meaning. It’s the job of the media analyst to dig through the data to create understanding and draw conclusions.
- Effective organizational abilities: Media analysts juggle many daily tasks and work with a wide variety of coworkers. They must, therefore, stay organized in order to do their job well and meet deadlines.
- Teamwork skills: Media analysts work with a variety of stakeholders at a company to effectively communicate and strategize marketing campaigns, so the ability to work as part of a team is essential.
- Interpersonal and communication skills: Effective communication skills are important to being a successful media analyst because sometimes, when brand perception is negative, media analysts must deliver unwelcome news.
- Research skills: Media analysts need to get deep into the weeds of their work to find trends and recommend marketing strategies, which require strong research skills.
- Analytical skills: Analysis is the bulk of a media analyst’s job. They must understand how to interpret metrics into conclusions to make an impact within their organization.
- Numerical skills: Media analysts work with numbers all day long, so they must have a handle on statistics to interpret data into useful findings.
- Time management skills: The marketing world is in constant flux, so working quickly and managing time effectively is a useful skill for ambitious media analysts.
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