Media researchers work in different sectors of the media industry, they find information and develop ideas for television, radio, internet, and movies. They also help in organizing all aspects of media programming, from ideas to execution. They develop ideas for programs and find audiences and media for those programs. A media researcher is one of the people responsible for knowing everything about the industry, so that companies can make and plan programs which will be in demand.
Education and Training
There is no specific educational requirement to become a media researcher. But most media researcher positions require at least a bachelor’s degree specifically in marketing, advertising, public relations, mass communication, journalism or any related field.
Duties and Responsibilities
The media researcher serves as a liaison between executives and the public and must be able to work with different people to ensure the smooth running of the programming processes. At all times the media researcher is expected to be alert, accessible, ready to obtain information, and at ease with his company. A media researcher does meetings with directors or executives to discuss forward planning, writing plans and reports for past and future programmes. They must also conduct market research and write reports on what the findings might mean for the specific program or company.
A media researcher should be able to assist senior researchers by giving inputs and analysing previous recorded data. Media researchers also analyze media to know the best marketing and advertising venues for advertisers, do meetings with advertisers to discuss what type of audience they want to attract, researchers also compare ratings data to know which shows the audience is watching.
Qualifications and Experience
Media researchers must have interpersonal skills, computer skills, good research skills, and a high level of initiative. A media researcher must also enjoy challenges and learning new things. Most companies requires some kind of experience. You must expect to spend time gaining experience as an unpaid intern before you are considered for a full-time paid position. Some media researchers are promoted from early positions as interns and runners and it is sometime expected that applicants for a research position gained experience in the media through these types of jobs.
Advancement and Salary
Like other jobs, the salary of a media researcher also varies depending on education, experience, the type of company, and duties. But with more experience and education media researchers can easily advance to senior researcher in their company or department. They may get jobs with the government or a university to conduct research and studies on media trends or to teach courses on media issues. They can also open their own firm or they may move on to other positions in advertising, publishing, or research analysis.*
*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Working Conditions
Media Researcher can work at home, on site, and from the office. When working from the office the working conditions are of course standard office practice. Stress can be an issue but risks are minimal. Researchers are usually on-site for the duration of the programming process with no opportunity to get away.
