Role Overview
Own end-to-end media buying across paid digital advertising, publisher rate negotiation, organic/earned journalist relationships, and international media placements, while leading and developing the media buying team to ensure optimal cost-efficiency, reach, and quality coverage for clients across domestic and global markets.
Key Responsibilities
A. Publisher Rate Negotiation & Contract Management
- Onboard new publishers and grow active partnerships (domestic + international)
- Negotiate contracts and rate cards; track contract turnaround time from first contact to finalization
- Ensure contract terms meet platform standards; drive renewal/extension rates with existing publishers
- Identify preferred media channels based on cost-per-placement efficiency
- Understand sales requirements to negotiate the best publishing rates across print/digital
B. Organic/Earned Media Placement
- Build and grow journalist contact database (new contacts added monthly)
- Convert journalist relationships into published organic stories and exclusive opportunities
- Manage print press release distribution — timeliness, targeted delivery, unique placements
- Coordinate press conferences — pre-event planning, media attendance, sales alignment on deliverables/costing
C. International Media Buying & Expansion
- Identify and onboard international publishers (US, UK, UAE, APAC, etc.) to expand global distribution network
- Negotiate rates and contracts with international publications, accounting for currency, regional pricing norms, and payment terms
- Build journalist/editor relationships in key international markets for organic coverage
- Coordinate campaign timing across time zones for global press releases and press conferences
- Track region-wise cost-per-placement and coverage quality to identify high-value international markets
- Ensure compliance with international media/advertising regulations and disclosure norms (e.g., FTC guidelines for sponsored content in the US)
- Collaborate with sales team on pricing international packages for clients seeking global exposure
D. Team Management & Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and manage the media buying team across paid, publisher, and organic functions
- Conduct regular team reviews (daily/weekly/monthly) to track progress and resolve bottlenecks
- Set individual KPIs/targets for team members and monitor performance against them
- Drive training and development programs to upskill the team on new platforms and negotiation techniques
- Support employee retention through engagement, recognition, and growth opportunities
- Facilitate internal promotions and build a leadership pipeline within the team
- Coordinate cross-functionally with sales, content, tech, and finance teams to ensure aligned execution
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- No. of new publishers onboarded (domestic + international) / contract turnaround time / renewal rate
- No. of new journalist contacts (domestic + international) / organic stories published
- Cost-per-placement across channels and regions
- Distribution timeliness & delivery confirmation rate
- No. of international markets/publications added to network
- Team retention rate, training completion rate, and internal promotion rate
Requirements
- 6–10 years across paid media buying, publisher negotiations, or PR/media relations (agency background preferred)
- Hands-on experience running Meta/Google/LinkedIn ad campaigns
- Strong negotiation skills — proven track record securing favorable publisher rates/contracts, including with international publishers
- Existing network of journalist/editorial contacts, ideally spanning international markets (US/UK/UAE/APAC)
- Understanding of international media landscape, regional pricing, and compliance norms
- Analytical mindset — comfortable tracking CPL, cost-per-placement, and ROI metrics across regions
- Proven people-management experience — leading, mentoring, and developing a team
- Excellent stakeholder management (sales, publishers, journalists, clients) across time zones
- Prior experience in cross-border PR/media campaigns is a strong plus
Pay: ₹2,400,000.00 - ₹2,500,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
