Have a love for advertising, marketing and community relations—and want to make a positive impact on your community? Does using your creativity on a daily basis bring you joy?
The exciting world of radio and television broadcasting offers opportunities throughout Michigan for energetic marketing, advertising, and promotions pros.
Stations rely on their marketing teams to increase viewership, ratings, and get messages out to the community.
They develop the messaging, graphics, and content that draws households to local newscasts, GenZ to their reality show finales and commuters to daily traffic updates.
If you want to make a difference in your community in an environment that’s buzzing 24/7, you’re in the right place. The marketing department is the station’s communications hub!
Sometimes referred to as promotions or creative services, many positions scaffold the station’s marketing, community relations, and promotions teams. Community and public relations specialists, graphic designers, producers and promotions producers, PR professionals, photographers, videographers and writers are among them.
More than just a job.
A career in broadcast media is more than a job, it’s a way of life. It’s definitely not your typical 9-5 workday gig or an easy paycheck. But then, most things worth doing aren’t typical or easy. If this excites you, keep reading because it gets better.
Community outreach is a big part of the job. You’ll love getting out into the community to help local nonprofits and charities in need of a platform. And it’s a lot of fun when the community comes into the station, too. On any given day you may run into the Pet of the Week, a local artist, a chef, or Teacher of the Year. You’ll produce spots for the station’s advertisers, and get used to things like telling the hospital CEO where to stand to get the best light!
This incredible cast of characters can include anyone, from local heroes and everyday citizens to international athletes, musicians, and entertainment celebrities. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, so you’ll need to be comfortable talking to people. You’re genuinely curious about them and their stories, and find it easy to establish rapport with others.
It’s not so bad being at work at 10 p.m. when it’s to wrap up a charity event featuring sports legends you’ve admired your whole life; or a night out with clients for Hamilton; or to escort event sponsors and contest winners to meet the biggest performers backstage after their shows.
Preparation
Marketing concepts span industries, so start by taking an internship or job shadowing at a local television or radio station. This is an excellent way to determine if a career in broadcast media is for you. It will also help shorten the curve involved in “learning the language” of broadcast media.
•
Take college-level classes in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field. Employers may require an associate degree or higher, though not always.
•
Explore classes in writing, graphic design, journalism, marketing, photography, videography, and more according to your creative interests.
•
Learn the tools of the trade, industry best practices, and the art and science behind marketing and promotions.
•
Experience in marketing and promotions is a big plus. Consider an entry level marketing or promotions position as a path to learning and gaining valuable hands-on experience.
•
Develop a solid understanding of how journalism works, along with core journalistic principles.
•
Attend events and join professional organizations to start building a network of contacts in the industry. This can help you learn about job opportunities and get your foot in the door.
•
Become familiar with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission laws; this general knowledge will be helpful as you learn the ropes.
Do you have the right stuff?
What does it take?
There’s a lot to gain from a career in broadcast media. But what does it take to be successful in a marketing or promotions role at a TV or radio station? If you’ve got these five attributes, you’re ahead of the curve!
Passion for the industry: It’s important to be excited about what you’re doing. Not just your craft, but excited about the industry, the music, or the news, and about making a difference. Your passion generates the level of energy and creativity needed for quality, impactful work.
Creative problem solving: Things rarely seem to go as planned in the busy and ever-changing media landscape. You’ll need to think through problems and find the best solutions—and they may not always be the most obvious!
Strong multi-tasking and organization skills: You’ll need to work your neurons in organization, managing competing priorities, using time wisely, and paying close attention to detail.
Hard-working team player: There’s a lot of opportunity for big success in broadcast media but you must be selfless, part of the team and willing to put in the work and time.
Social and digital media background: Digital is a huge part of the future of broadcasting. The industry needs expertise in digital and social media marketing.
Have a love for advertising, marketing and community relations—and want to make a positive impact on your community? Does using your creativity on a daily basis bring you joy?
The exciting world of radio and television broadcasting offers opportunities throughout Michigan for energetic marketing, advertising, and promotions pros.
Stations rely on their marketing teams to increase viewership, ratings, and get messages out to the community.
They develop the messaging, graphics, and content that draws households to local newscasts, GenZ to their reality show finales and commuters to daily traffic updates.
If you want to make a difference in your community in an environment that’s buzzing 24/7, you’re in the right place. The marketing department is the station’s communications hub!
Sometimes referred to as promotions or creative services, many positions scaffold the station’s marketing, community relations, and promotions teams. Community and public relations specialists, graphic designers, producers and promotions producers, PR professionals, photographers, videographers and writers are among them.
PREPARATION
Marketing concepts span industries, so start by taking an internship or job shadowing at a local television or radio station. This is an excellent way to determine if a career in broadcast media is for you. It will also help shorten the curve involved in “learning the language” of broadcast media.
———
Take college-level classes in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field. Employers may require an associate degree or higher, though not always.
———
Explore classes in writing, graphic design, journalism, marketing, photography, videography, and more according to your creative interests.
———
Learn the tools of the trade, industry best practices, and the art and science behind marketing and promotions.
———
Experience in marketing and promotions is a big plus. Consider an entry level marketing or promotions position as a path to learning and gaining valuable hands-on experience.
———
Develop a solid understanding of how journalism works, along with core journalistic principles.
———
Attend events and join professional organizations to start building a network of contacts in the industry. This can help you learn about job opportunities and get your foot in the door.
———
Become familiar with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission laws; this general knowledge will be helpful as you learn the ropes.
More Than Just a Job
A career in broadcast media is more than a job, it’s a way of life. It’s definitely not your typical 9-5 workday gig or an easy paycheck. But then, most things worth doing aren’t typical or easy. If this excites you, keep reading because it gets better.
Community outreach is a big part of the job. You’ll love getting out into the community to help local nonprofits and charities in need of a platform. And it’s a lot of fun when the community comes into the station, too. On any given day you may run into the Pet of the Week, a local artist, a chef, or Teacher of the Year. You’ll produce spots for the station’s advertisers, and get used to things like telling the hospital CEO where to stand to get the best light!
This incredible cast of characters can include anyone, from local heroes and everyday citizens to international athletes, musicians, and entertainment celebrities. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, so you’ll need to be comfortable talking to people. You’re genuinely curious about them and their stories, and find it easy to establish rapport with others.
It’s not so bad being at work at 10 p.m. when it’s to wrap up a charity event featuring sports legends you’ve admired your whole life; or a night out with clients for Hamilton; or to escort event sponsors and contest winners to meet the biggest performers backstage after their shows.
What does it take?
There’s a lot to gain from a career in broadcast media. But what does it take to be successful in a marketing or promotions role at a TV or radio station? If you’ve got these five attributes, you’re ahead of the curve!
Passion for the industry: It’s important to be excited about what you’re doing. Not just your craft, but excited about the industry, the music, or the news, and about making a difference. Your passion generates the level of energy and creativity needed for quality, impactful work.
Creative problem solving: Things rarely seem to go as planned in the busy and ever-changing media landscape. You’ll need to think through problems and find the best solutions—and they may not always be the most obvious!
Strong multi-tasking and organization skills: You’ll need to work your neurons in organization, managing competing priorities, using time wisely, and paying close attention to detail.
Hard-working team player: There’s a lot of opportunity for big success in broadcast media but you must be selfless, part of the team and willing to put in the work and time.
Social and digital media background: Digital is a huge part of the future of broadcasting. The industry needs expertise in digital and social media marketing.
A Typical Day
A Typical Day
Flexibility is an important asset in broadcast media, and it’s good to know going in that every day will be different. If you’re one to go with the flow, enjoy new challenges, and have the creative chops to produce great work, you will be in your element.
Internally, you’ll manage the station’s brand—giving the station its look, feel, and voice—while working to deliver viewers/listeners/streamers to the station’s frequencies and digital platforms. They also regularly provide services to meet clients’ creative needs.
Beyond airtime, the station and clients alike benefit from a broad and creative array of promotional activities. From sponsorships and messaging opportunities to advertising and direct participation, the marketing and promotions teams have a big hand in orchestrating magnificent events that bring people together—for fun or for a cause, to celebrate, to compete, to educate, or enlighten.
As a member of the marketing team, you may be conducting market research, strategizing to improve metrics, or pitching plans to clients. Depending on your role, you may be writing scripts, producing a commercial for a client, organizing voice talent and actors, or capturing video footage.
You’ll join your colleagues to spearhead promotional events like contests; sponsorships at concerts, athletic events, and the arts, community outreach, volunteer programs, and so much more.
Flexibility is an important asset in broadcast media, and it’s good to know going in that every day will be different. If you’re one to go with the flow, enjoy new challenges, and have the creative chops to produce great work, you will be in your element.
Internally, you’ll manage the station’s brand—giving the station its look, feel, and voice—while working to deliver viewers/listeners/streamers to the station’s frequencies and digital platforms. They also regularly provide services to meet clients’ creative needs.
Beyond airtime, the station and clients alike benefit from a broad and creative array of promotional activities. From sponsorships and messaging opportunities to advertising and direct participation, the marketing and promotions teams have a big hand in orchestrating magnificent events that bring people together—for fun or for a cause, to celebrate, to compete, to educate, or enlighten.
As a member of the marketing team, you may be conducting market research, strategizing to improve metrics, or pitching plans to clients. Depending on your role, you may be writing scripts, producing a commercial for a client, organizing voice talent and actors, or capturing video footage.
You’ll join your colleagues to spearhead promotional events like contests; sponsorships at concerts, athletic events, and the arts, community outreach, volunteer programs, and so much more.
A TEAM EFFORT
Comradery and teamwork are a big piece of the broadcast media experience. As marketing and promotions professional at a TV or radio station, you’ll work with every department on the regular.
You’ll collaborate with the sales department to carry out clients’ advertising contracts; you’ll work with HR to design business cards for the new investigative reporter; you’ll coordinate the station’s advertising budget with finance; work with on-air talent to plan the Taylor Swift concert ticket give away, and work with the sports desk to produce graphics for tonight’s broadcast.
It’s all-hands-on-deck and there’s a lot going on at any broadcast TV or radio station. Many people with many skills and talents work to bring everything to life. You’ll experience much together. Trust one another. Lift each other up. Achieve and celebrate together.
Of course, there are other perks of being part of the team. Only a handful of people are in front of the mic, but there are countless others making it happen. As part of the broadcast media family, you’ll join your colleagues at concerts and sporting events. You’ll encounter the arts, meet interesting people, and go on new adventures. Plus, a press pass is a beautiful thing.
Are you ready to boost your career in marketing and promotions by joining the broadcasting industry?
Come join us.
A TEAM EFFORT
Comradery and teamwork are a big piece of the broadcast media experience. As marketing and promotions professional at a TV or radio station, you’ll work with every department on the regular.
You’ll collaborate with the sales department to carry out clients’ advertising contracts; you’ll work with HR to design business cards for the new investigative reporter; you’ll coordinate the station’s advertising budget with finance; work with on-air talent to plan the Taylor Swift concert ticket give away, and work with the sports desk to produce graphics for tonight’s broadcast.
It’s all-hands-on-deck and there’s a lot going on at any broadcast TV or radio station. Many people with many skills and talents work to bring everything to life. You’ll experience much together. Trust one another. Lift each other up. Achieve and celebrate together.
Of course, there are other perks of being part of the team. Only a handful of people are in front of the mic, but there are countless others making it happen. As part of the broadcast media family, you’ll join your colleagues at concerts and sporting events. You’ll encounter the arts, meet interesting people, and go on new adventures. Plus, a press pass is a beautiful thing.
Are you ready to boost your career in marketing and promotions by joining the broadcasting industry?
Come join us.