Job Roles (M2, U24)

M2 (Unit 24): Explain how personal behaviours and attributes affect career development opportunities within the media industry

Statistician

Job Description:

A statistician's job role involves gathering and analysing numerical (quantitative) data to identify trends and patterns of a selected market. Their findings are used to form predictions regarding a specific market. In advertising, a statisticians work is especially useful in determining what is most popular among selected audiences and demographics, which can enable a business to design their campaign based off of collected data and identified trends/patterns. Using the identified trends and patters can optimize the success and effectiveness of an advertising campaign.

Personal Behaviours & Attributes: 

• Advanced Written & Verbal Skills - This is important for a statistician to have, due to the way in which the responsibilities of this job involves analysing and presenting data. Written skills are crucial when forming detailed reports on trends and patterns of numerical data. If written skills lack or are not present, then content formed by a statistician may not be clearly described, resulting in confusion among colleagues reviewing the data. Verbal skills are important when pitching and presenting findings. If an individual with this job role fails to clearly present their research, and is unable to use a variety of advanced and necessary vocabulary (such as key terminology) then they will fail to clearly and effectively display their ideas, predictions and data. This would ultimately harm the success of their job role as they will be unable to effectively portray and use their data for advertising/a specific campaign.

• Strong Analytical Skills - The main and most important skill of this job role is the ability to thoroughly analyse data. Without this, the role cannot be successfully carried out as the main duties require analysing data. This involves looking at and comparing a variety of numerical information, and forming conclusions and predictions, as well as identifying trends/patterns. 

• IT Skills - IT skills are a necessity for the role of a statistician due to the prominent use of computer databases and software. A statistician must be able to appropriately use various IT related features in order to access and evaluate data, as well as edit over or add comments/information. If an individual carrying out this job role cannot use computer based features, then they may experience restrictions regarding their ability to access and use notable data. This can impact the validity of a statisticians work, especially if they are unable to use or access required databases/software. 

• Exceptional Numerical Abilities - Due to the research of a statistician being solely numerical, it is important that they have strong mathematical abilities and skills. Ensuring that a statistician is good with numbers and holds the necessary numerical abilities, their work will be accurately interpreted and presented, and trends/patterns will be effectively calculated and concluded, through the use of various numerical methods (e.g. identifying the mean, median and mode of given data). 

• Confidence - As part of the role as a statistician, meetings and phone calls must be carried out to provide colleagues with insight to the individuals findings and conclusions. Confidence is key to ensure that data is clearly presented and so that the statistician providing the data appears professional and experienced, which can ensure they are taken seriously and gain the respect from those in attendance to meetings/presentations.

(Source: Google Images)

Senior/Head Market Researcher

Job Description:

This job role involves an individual leading research activity on behalf of a business. This involves delegating tasks to employees within the research department in order to attain important information and data, as well as ensuring that money spent on research resources are within budget and that deadlines are met. Information gathered from researchers is provided to the senior researcher, who then has the responsibility of collecting all given data and presenting it to clients and colleagues. In advertising, the senior researcher will specifically look at data regarding the product/service being advertised as well gathering information of the target demographic. This is then used by the business to produce an appropriate advertising campaign, ensuring that it attracts the desired audiences, increasing the success of sales and awareness of the advertised product. 

Personal Behaviours & Attributes: 

• Strong Leadership Skills - As this role involves leading a team of researchers, it is important that a senior market researcher is able to effectively carry out their responsibilities using necessary skills and methods in order to drive their researchers, and provide outlined expectations of their roles, ensuring tasks are carried out to the highest ability and that a wide range of data is gathered. As colleagues are reporting to the senior market researcher, it is also important that as part of their leadership skills, the individual is able to provide necessary assistance and guidance in the delegation of tasks, to ensure a project (such as an advertising campaign) can smoothly and successfully run. 

• Confidence - As this role involves a great amount of public speaking and leadership, it is important that the individual carrying out the job of a head market researcher has confidence in doing so. This will further strengthen their ability to clearly present tasks and data to work colleagues and clients, preventing any misunderstandings/confusion with regard to delegating tasks and presenting important findings from research.

• Good Organisation - The workload that a senior market researcher experiences tends to be heavy. This involves analysing data, attaining necessary resources for research, delegating and overseeing tasks to monitor progress, and so on. In order to ensure that all of the responsibilities of a senior market researcher are successfully carried out, it is vital that tasks are organised. Organisation skills and methods (such as creating checklists and research schedules) will prevent the likelihood of missing deadlines and going over budget, as well as forgetting about specific tasks resulting in an incomplete project - this is why having good organisation is important for this role.

• Developed Interpersonal Skills - Both verbal and written communication is key for this role, due to the great significance of presenting data/research findings forming reports and communicating with colleagues/clients. This is why having developed interpersonal skills is important, as it ensures the senior market researcher can effectively communicate. For example, questions can be effectively answered, forming strong bonds within the workplace, creating a productive environment. To add, when a senior researcher is conducting independent research, interpersonal skills will have a large role to play in ensuring participants are able to fully understand their role (e.g. answering questions) and the purpose of the research being conducted.

• Advanced Research Skills & Knowledge - The main duty of a senior market researcher involves conducting primary and secondary research using a range of methods to increase the validity of selected findings, as well as delegating specific research tasks to researchers within the same department. By holding necessary knowledge and having advanced skills regarding research, the role of senior market researcher can be successfully carried out, and data can be effectively collected. 

(Source: Google Images)

Market Research Coordinator

Job Description:

The main duties of a market research coordinator involve a high level of administrative tasks to support the research carried out by market researchers. These tasks include: recruitment of researchers, providing and monitoring the distribution of marketing materials (e.g. questionnaires and surveys), organising research panels, and, conducting regular examinations of data to help form valuable suggestions and recommendations regarding the advertising of a business (client).

Personal Behaviours & Attributes:

• Ability To Interpret Data - Data assessed by a market research coordinator has to be analysed, and then used to drive decisions regarding the advertising and marketing activities of a business. In order for this to successfully take place, an individual carrying out this role must be able to interpret a wide variety of data (both qualitative and quantitative) to ensure that they can fully understand the information, therefore being able to successfully provide conclusive evidence to support suggestions regarding a businesses advertising campaign. 

• Strong Initiative - As conclusions and suggestions are made from analysing data, it is important that a market research coordinator has a strong initiative. This will ensure that the individual carrying out this role will be able to successfully draw independent suggestions that will be provided to further improve advertisements, ensuring that the selected demographic(s) are better targeted. 

• Confidence - Confidence is specifically important due to the great amount of communication required of this role. If a market research coordinator is confident in approaching colleagues, clients and third parties (such as potential participants and external researchers) then they will be more likely to feel ease and willingness in doing so, therefore completing their tasks to the best of their ability. 

• Exceptional Organisation Skills - As a market research coordinator has the responsibility of organising specific research factors (such as gathering participants and distributing research materials) it is important that the individual with this role has the ability to be organised in their work. This will ensure that the market research coordinator is able to establish what tasks have been accomplished and what requires completing. This will result in the ability to ensure that tasks are effectively being carried out, preventing any important duties from being neglected or forgotten about. 

• Exemplary Communication Skills - Communication is one of the foundations of this role. A market research coordinator has to regularly update employees regarding research materials that may require distribution or collecting, response rates from participants and communicating with external sources (such as suppliers and participants of market research). In order for the specified tasks to be effectively completed, it is vital that the individual carrying out this role is able to use strong communicative methods in order to clearly communicate with individuals, and prevent any confusions as well as effectively answer any necessary questions.

(Source: Google Images)

Marketing Strategist

Job Description:
A marketing strategist has the responsibility of using research attained by market researchers to form and shape the advertising materials of a business, with the intention of attracting the desired demographic(s). This job role involves using consumer focused strategies (such as emphasis on the aesthetic of a product) in order to draw attention towards advertisements and attract audiences. A marketing strategist also sets marketing aims and objectives based off of research gathered, in order to ensure that they are realistic and achievable.

Personal Behaviours & Attributes:

• Exemplary Analytical Skills - This role involves looking at data presented and breaking down the details in order to form valid assumptions and recommendations, which are later used to produce relevant marketing strategies in order to maximise the success of an advertisement. Having the capability to use a variety of analytical skills, will grant the marketing strategist the ability to easily break down data and identify important and notable trends/patterns, that can later be used to form effective marketing strategies, and increase the success of advertising for a specific business/client.  

• Good Communicative Abilities - Effectively pitching strategies and ideas based off of reviewing data (such as market trends and patterns) is important when trying to get colleagues on board with plans that will lead to a successful advertising campaign. Having good communicative abilities will enable a marketing strategist to effectively get their points across, and get team members on board, which will further the likelihood that established strategies will be implemented.

• Relevant Problem Solving Skills - If a marketing strategist identifies negative patterns/trends (such as a decline in sales) then it is important that the individual with this responsibility is able to counteract this and form strategies, in order avoid any negative impacts on a specific business. For example using ones initiative to look at what is currently trending among target audiences, and involving

• Innovative & Creative This role requires a marketing strategist to determine strategies and suggestions for effective and successful marketing/advertisements. In order to create unique advertisements which are likely to attract demographics and stand out from other businesses, it is important that the individual carrying out this role is able to provide innovative and creative ideas. 

• Ability To Work Within A Team - Marketing strategists must regularly share their strategies with colleagues s well as provide updates to any changes. They also hold the responsibility of liaising with market researchers in collecting and analysing data, and identifying any relevant trends or patterns that may be important to consider during the planning and creating process of advertisements. Teamwork is crucial for the harmony between individuals working on a specific advertising campaign, ensuring the workplace is collected and that the project can effectively move forward smoothly. 

(Source: Google Images

Brand Manager

Job Description: 
Simular to a marketing strategist, a brand manager will identify trends and patterns from looking at data in order to create strategies for a business. However, the distinctive difference between the two roles is that a brand manager focuses on the brand identity, whereas a market strategist will ultimitaley focus on consumers and sales. The responsibilities of a brand manager involve predicting future market trends, as well as developing strategies to form and maintain brand awareness. Brand managers also have a great responsibility of supervising the production of advertsiments, designs of products and other marketing elements, to verify that there is consistency throughout, ensuring brand recognition and therefore creating awareness.  

Personal Behaviours & Attributes:

• Prominant Teamwork Abilites - This job role requires teamwork as brand managers must be able to effectively work with multiple colleagues from a variety of departments (e.g marketing assistants, marketing strategists, etc.). Ensuring that teamwork is prominant throughout tasks collectively completed by a brand manager and other employees, the processes of tasks and work flow is likely to be completed with ease, reducing stress or any implications that may impact productivity. 

• Creativity - Producing original ideas and providing innovative propositions is important when forming a brand and creating a unique identity for a business. In order for advertisments and other marketing materials to effectively achieve this, they must stand out, which is why unique and creative ideas are important for success to further ensure the individuality and brand identiy for a business/client.

• Experience Regarding Market Research - In order to effectively analyse data to the advantage of developing a brand and increasing awareness, it is crucial that a brand manager is able to fully understand the data, ensuring they are correctly interpreting it and so that they know where to look, and what details to focus on. Having experience with market research is useful for a brand manager as it ensures their familiarity with analysing and breaking down necessary data as well as conducting any required research, and knowing specific methods in doing so. 

• Strategic Thinking - Along with creativity and the ability to effectively work with market research data, it is important that a brand manager can provide strategic insight when forming an advert and other marketing materials. This will ensure that the chances of the brand awareness are increased, as well as the effectiveness a campaign has in targeting audiences and forming a unique brand identity. 

• Good Time Management - Time managment is important for a brand manager to have as it can ensure that interim deadlines are met for individual tasks, preventing the liklihood of the final deadline being missed, otherwise resulting in an incomplete advertising project (which could have detrimental results of the reputation of the advertising company). Good time managemt will not only ensure that deadlines are met, but it will also increase the productivity of work completed by a brand manager, and colleagues that have liased with the indivual for specific tasks.

(Source: Google)