Media Buyer
The dealmaker behind the screen—media buyers negotiate, purchase, and place adsThe art of persuasion—advertising is the strategic storytelling that builds brands, shapes perceptions, and drives consumer action across multiple channels. across channels to maximize reachThe total number of unique people who see your content—used in media planning and performance tracking. and return.
What is a Media Buyer?
The negotiator of attention. Media buyers secure ad placements where they’ll have the biggest impact—without blowing the budgetYour financial roadmap—a budget outlines the expected costs and resources for a project, ensuring spending stays on track..
What does a Media Buyer do?
They analyze media performance, purchase space across channels, and negotiate rates with platforms and publishers. It’s part numbers, part instinct.
What does this role look like in a creative agency?
At RIOT, media buyers make every dollar count. Their placements elevate our creative and make sure it lands with the right audienceThe heartbeat of every campaign—understanding and engaging the right audience is the key to crafting messages that resonate and drive action., every time.
Dive Deeper
Media Buyers are the dealmakers behind the screens. They negotiate rates, purchase ad space, and strategically place campaignsStrategy meets storytelling—campaigns bring big ideas to life, driving awareness, engagement, and conversions through powerful, multi-channel messaging. across digital, social, TV, print, outdoor, and emerging platforms. In creative and media agencies, Media Buyers ensure that the right message lands in the right place at the right time—maximizing both reach and return while keeping budgets sharp and performance strong.
Related Glossary Terms
| Related Glossary Terms | Why It’s Relevant |
|---|---|
| Media Planning and Buying | The overall process that Media Buyers execute—turning plans into placements and media buys into measurable impact. |
| Paid Media Campaigns | Media Buyers activate the paid portion of marketingStories with purpose—marketing connects brands to people through strategy, creativity, and campaigns that drive impact. plans—managing budgets, bids, and delivery schedules across channels. |
| Retargeting Campaigns | They often manage retargeting tactics—buying placements designed to bring users back into the conversion funnelThe customer journey mapped—funnels visualize the path from awareness to conversion, helping optimize every step.. |
| Programmatic Media Buying | Many Media Buyers operate inside programmatic platforms—automating real-time ad purchases based on audience data. |
| KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) | Campaign success is measured by KPIsThe pulse of success—KPIs are measurable goals that track performance, guiding brands to optimize, adapt, and crush their objectives. like CPMCost per thousand impressions—used in media buying to measure how much it costs to reach 1,000 eyeballs., CPC, CTR, conversion rates, and ROAS—all managed and optimized by Media Buyers. |
Related Job Roles
| Related Job Roles | Why It’s Connected |
|---|---|
| Media PlannerThe placement strategist—media planners determine where, when, and how your ads will make the biggest impact. | Develops the strategic media plan that Media Buyers bring to life through negotiated placements and scheduling. |
| Performance Marketing ManagerNumbers-driven growth—this role leads paid, data-backed campaigns designed to drive measurable conversions and revenue. | Partners to track performance, optimize live campaigns, and adjust buying strategies based on real-time results. |
| Account ExecutiveThe client’s go-to strategist—account executives manage relationships, oversee projects, and ensure campaigns deliver impact, on time and on budget. | Communicates media plan updates and performance back to the clientThe reason we do what we do—the client is the partner, the collaborator, and the audience we’re here to impress and grow with. throughout the campaign lifecycle. |
| Paid Media SpecialistDeep knowledge, niche focus—a specialist brings expertise in one area, offering high-value insights and precision. | Focuses on the tactical management and optimization of paid media channels that Media Buyers secure and activate. |
