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Advertising media planner

Alternative titles for this job include Communications planner, media strategist

Advertising media planners decide which media channels are best to advertise their client's products and services.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

evenings occasionally

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
  • statistics or operational research
  • communication and media studies
  • business or management
  • psychology

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.

This can take up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Work

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

From there, you could become a media planner 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.

Employers will be keen to hear about any experience in media, marketing, data analysis or sales.

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 planner with media buyer, 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 opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about media planning 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 come up with new ways of doing things
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • 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 planner, you could:

  • work with clients to learn what they want to achieve
  • carry out research to understand the target audience
  • create a media plan of how, when and where to advertise
  • identify the most suitable media and platforms to use for campaigns
  • present plans and costs to clients
  • analyse data to spot market trends and adapt plans
  • monitor campaign performance and create reports for account managers
  • work closely with media buyers and the wider creative team

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an advertising media planner right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Marketing Professional (Level 4)

  • Provider: CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Bristol

Digital Marketing

  • Provider: EKC GROUP
  • Start date: 05 January 2027
  • Location: Sheerness
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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