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Advertising media buyer

Alternative titles for this job include Media buyer, TV, radio or digital buyer, out of home buyer

Media buyers book advert airtime on TV, radio and online channels, and purchase space in newspapers, magazines and public areas.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • a graduate trainee scheme

University

You could study for a foundation degree or degree in a subject, like:

  • advertising and marketing
  • communication and media studies
  • business management
  • maths, statistics or operational research

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Advertising Media Executive Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with an agency, or an Assistant Buyer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with a retail business.

These would give you the skills and knowledge needed to move into advertising media buying roles.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant or assistant buyer with an agency team.

From there, you could become a media buyer through on-the-job training and promotion.

Volunteering

Work experience could give you a better understanding of the role. You would also make contacts who might be of help when you look for paid work in advertising. You could try:

  • volunteering
  • internships
  • temporary jobs

Social media sites like LinkedIn can be a useful way to make contact with agencies about potential opportunities.

Other Routes

If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an advertising agency.

More Information

Career tips

Some employers combine the roles of media buyer with media planner, which means you could get a wide range of experience before specialising in the role you prefer.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about media buying as a career from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an advertising media buyer, you could:

  • work closely with media planners to meet the client's requirements
  • find the most suitable advertising display spaces for the target audience
  • negotiate ad package deals and costs with media suppliers
  • use software to bid for space and to monitor its cost effectiveness
  • build good relationships with clients and media sales companies
  • manage project timescales and buying budgets
  • analyse audience data and prepare reports for media managers

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior media buyer or media manager, or choose to specialise in buying digital or traditional advertising space.

You might also move into:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

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