In the initial days of this booming career, the single position of a media planning coordinator comprise of two different positions- one of a media planner and the other of a planning coordinator. While the former one was concerned with the task of undertaking researches about various media trends as well as media events, the latter was concerned with the task of maintaining and arranging the optimum space for such events and campaigns to come underway. However, the two jobs have now intertwined and have now become one single profession. As a media planning coordinator, one must be able to assess as well as assimilate and analyze the ongoing trends in the market, with special reference to the sales and marketing trade. Apart from this, an innate “sixth sense” to assess the ongoing consumer demand patterns as well as the demand curves should be there in the aspirant. One of the most important tasks which are at the hand of a media coordinator is to be able to work within the constraints of budget as well as time set by the client and to offer the best possible solution.
The creative department or the accounts department is the most common place where one can find the budding career of a media planning coordinator. It is in such environments that professionals embrace such career choices so as to bring about the best media deal for the organization. The media planning coordinator is also responsible for portraying the image of the organization in the right light through the media.
As such, there are no separate or distinct set of certifications or course degrees nominated for being a media planning coordinator. There is however a graduation program conducted by some universities that specialize in mass communication. However all said and done, a degree course or some valuable experience into the fields of marketing as well as advertising can prove helpful. They can surely come in handy for entry level applicants. Those candidates who aspire to reach the high ranks of managers can use some degree or handy experience in liberal arts.
As the job of a media planning coordinator is one that requires a lot exposure to media as well as advertising, there is a dire need of knowing how to entertain people and acquaintances. This is the reason why it asks for a sound level of people skills as well as the communication skills. Apart from this, the job also requires a sound ability to communicate as well as innovate. Thus a strong imagination and execution of the conceived idea is along a fixed plan is required on the part of the candidate. It is also helpful to assimilate optimum knowledge about the field of working in any organization in which you are working as a media planning coordinator.
The post of a media planning coordinator is one of the most highly paying jobs out of the various media related jobs known in the present day. As an estimated figure, the salary of a media planner and coordinator is in the range of $38,000 - $76,000.
If you try and analyze the career path of a media planner or a media planning coordinator, the initial twists and turns in the career can be observed under the accounts department or the media as well as the advertising department. If you are an entry level candidate and have procured the required set of course degrees as well as certifications, you can expect to work under the marketing or creative design department in the organization.
