---
title: Media Buyer Role & Career Path
description: Learn what a Media Buyer does, from negotiating ad space to executing campaigns. Discover the skills and career opportunities for this role in New Zealand.
image: https://www.advertisingcareers.co.nz/hubfs/ace%20fb%20cover.png
---
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# Media Buyer
Media Buyers are the negotiators and deal-makers. They take the strategies developed by Media Planners and secure media placements and airtime across television, outdoor advertising, audio, social media, digital platforms and other channels.
They negotiate and purchase media on a client’s behalf, balancing audience, timing, budget and value. They also stay up to date with emerging platforms and opportunities that could help reach each client’s target audience.
## Great skills to have as a Media Buyer
A love of data and what it tells us about human behaviour.
Strong negotiation skills and the confidence to find a good deal.
Curiosity about where and how people get their information and entertainment.
Strong organisation: you may work across several clients at once and need to treat each as a priority.
## See what it's like...
### Matt Tan
TV Buyer at MBM
Going to the beach
Sand everywhere
"I’m responsible for those ads you see that pop up on your TV every now and then when you’re watching your favourite TV show... if you’re wondering why, it’s because it helps get the word out there."
## Pathway to becoming a Media Buyer
Agencies look for people who communicate well, are comfortable with data and numbers, and can apply a human perspective to what the data shows.
Tertiary study is not mandatory. Subjects such as economics, psychology, business, mathematics or science can be useful, but people enter media from many different areas of study and experience.
Media Buyers often begin in entry-level roles such as Media Executive, building their understanding of media channels, audiences and campaign delivery before moving into buying.
Graduates can register their interest in the [Comms Council Graduate Talent Hub](https://commscouncil.nz/careers/graduate-hub), which supports entry-level media opportunities. You can also apply directly for Media Executive and other entry-level media roles.
## Career progression
There are no defined time periods between levels of seniority. Progress depends on your performance, the skills you develop and the opportunities available within your agency.
When you start, look for ways to support your team and the wider agency. Find a mentor or group you can turn to, ask questions, learn from mistakes and put your hand up for projects and opportunities.
## What might I be able to earn?
The following provides an indication of the sort of earnings you could achieve during your career.
We’ve selected a range of roles and provided indicative earning potential. Titles and levels of responsibility can vary depending on the size of the agency, the nature of its accounts, its location and how it defines each role, so these figures are indicative only.
## Similar roles
### [ Account Planner ](https://www.advertisingcareers.co.nz/role/account-planner)
### [ Data Analyst ](https://www.advertisingcareers.co.nz/role/data-analyst)
### [ Media Planner ](https://www.advertisingcareers.co.nz/role/media-planner)
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