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What does a Media Analyst do?

John Lister
John Lister

The job title of media analyst can cover a range of activities. Broadly speaking, it is the activity of looking at the interaction between businesses or other organizations and the media. However, this can involve both objective and subjective measures and be motivated by different needs.

One type of media analysis is the study of markets to find the best place to promote a particular business. This is usually a very objective type of project based on extensive use of statistics. Such work requires the analyst to not only understand the figures, but to understand how those figures relate to and affect one another. For example, seasonal patterns in consumer spending may affect the best place to promote a product. An analyst might decide that a product which is normally best advertised in magazines for wealthy consumers should be advertised in tabloid magazines at Christmas when less wealthy people are more likely to splash out.

One form of media analysis is keeping track of how well a company or product is portrayed and covered in different media such as newspapers, television and the internet.
One form of media analysis is keeping track of how well a company or product is portrayed and covered in different media such as newspapers, television and the internet.

Another form of media analysis is keeping track of how well a company or product is portrayed and covered in different media such as newspapers, television and the internet. This involves a combination of subjective and objective abilities. Part of the work will simply involve keeping track of how often a product is mentioned and how many people will have seen the article, program or website. But the work also involves making judgments about whether the article creates a positive or negative image, and how important the particular audience is for the product’s success.

Media analysts do work that involves gauging how a company or individual is portrayed online, including in news reports.
Media analysts do work that involves gauging how a company or individual is portrayed online, including in news reports.

The average media analyst is relatively well-paid. As of May 2009, the Simply Hired website listed the average media analyst position in the United States as having a $61,000 US Dollars (USD) salary. Because it involves fairly specialist knowledge, media analyst salaries do not vary as much by location as many jobs. However, there is a very wide range of salaries across the industry depending on the position held and the level of experience.

Media analysts may look at which newspapers sell better in certain markets.
Media analysts may look at which newspapers sell better in certain markets.

The role of media analyst is constantly changing. Today there are even specialist roles as a social media analyst. This involves keeping track of the way a product, company or even an individual is portrayed online. The work can be much more complicated as it doesn’t simply involve measuring the original page which mentions the subject. The analyst must also take into account the number of visitors the page gets, how influential the sites which link to it are, and what feedback the page gets from users on the site itself, on other sites, and through personal accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Discussion Comments

anon951259

As a college student, how do you find internships for the media analysis field?

anon304038

I think in South Africa it is much different, as the job is not paying and there is no career in it.

anon249591

@anon247851: That's what they pay in America! They pay less in other countries because they settle for less!

anon247851

I am working as a media analyst in India and the salary we are getting here is far less than what you have stated.

letshearit

I think with the amount of data consumers provide to social networking sites like Facebook has made the work of media analysts much easier.

With the invention of the like button, it is easy to see what people are sharing and which comments and updates they prefer.

For anyone who has noticed, ads are always targeted to anything you have listed in your favorites, interests and even to your age. This is not an accident and people pay money to target you.

I think people need to be aware of how they are used as research for media analysts and in turn, how ads reach them.

MrSmirnov

I think most businesses, no matter how small, do a bit of media analyst work when they start to get into advertising.

For my business, I keep a close eye on how well my ads on Google and Facebook are doing. I look at who is visiting my site, how long they stay, and try to figure out how to better target my audience.

With social media analysis, it gets trickier. There is so much content to surf through. You need to find out if you business is mentioned in the news or someone’s live feed, in what context they have talked about you, and use that feedback constructively.

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    • One form of media analysis is keeping track of how well a company or product is portrayed and covered in different media such as newspapers, television and the internet.
      By: corepics
      One form of media analysis is keeping track of how well a company or product is portrayed and covered in different media such as newspapers, television and the internet.
    • Media analysts do work that involves gauging how a company or individual is portrayed online, including in news reports.
      By: georgejmclittle
      Media analysts do work that involves gauging how a company or individual is portrayed online, including in news reports.
    • Media analysts may look at which newspapers sell better in certain markets.
      By: stocksolutions
      Media analysts may look at which newspapers sell better in certain markets.
    • Media analysts examine the demographics of certain publications.
      By: maska82
      Media analysts examine the demographics of certain publications.
    • Media analysts examine consumer spending habits to determine the most effective means of advertisement.
      By: David Davis
      Media analysts examine consumer spending habits to determine the most effective means of advertisement.
    • Media analysts may use social media to connect with fanbases.
      By: gemphotography
      Media analysts may use social media to connect with fanbases.
    • Media analysts might examine why children prefer certain programs.
      By: Myst
      Media analysts might examine why children prefer certain programs.