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Associate Media Planner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Manager, Integrated Media Planning

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$132K - $137K/yr

They partner with the Associate Media Director or Director to set the strategic tone and direction for planning deliverables. The Manager also assists in the development of any important plans ...

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Associate Media Planner information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$82.4K

$143.6K

How much do associate media planner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate media planner in California is $82,406.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,400.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate media planner do?

An Associate Media Planner assists in developing and executing media strategies for advertising campaigns. They research target audiences, analyze media consumption habits, and help select the most effective channels to reach potential customers. Their duties often include creating media schedules, tracking campaign performance, and coordinating with vendors. This role is typically entry-level and provides a foundation for advancing within the field of media planning.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an associate media planner?

To thrive as an Associate Media Planner, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a degree in marketing, advertising, or a related field. Familiarity with media planning tools such as Nielsen, comScore, and buying platforms like MediaOcean or Prisma is commonly required. Excellent communication, organization, and teamwork abilities help you collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams. These skills ensure strategic media placements that maximize campaign impact and meet client objectives efficiently.

What are typical challenges an associate media planner might face when working on multiple campaigns simultaneously?

As an Associate Media Planner, managing several campaigns at once can be challenging due to tight deadlines, shifting client priorities, and the need to coordinate with various internal and external stakeholders. You may need to balance competing demands while ensuring that each campaign is executed accurately and efficiently. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and clear communication are essential for handling overlapping timelines and making sure that deliverables meet clients’ expectations.

What is the difference between Associate Media Planner vs Media Buyer?

AspectAssociate Media PlannerMedia Buyer
ResponsibilitiesAssists in developing media strategies, research, and campaign planningExecutes media placements, negotiates with vendors, and manages ad buys
Skills & CertificationsKnowledge of media planning tools, basic analytics, and industry standardsNegotiation skills, familiarity with media platforms, and industry certifications
Work EnvironmentCollaborative team setting within advertising agencies or media firmsFast-paced environment focused on media transactions and placements

While both roles work within media and advertising, the Associate Media Planner primarily supports campaign planning and research, whereas the Media Buyer focuses on executing media buys and negotiations. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in media advertising.

What are the most commonly searched types of Media Planner jobs in California?

The most popular types of Media Planner jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Media Planner jobs in California?

For Associate Media Planner jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Media Planner jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Media Planner jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Media Planner jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Media Planner job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Media Planner jobs in CA?

For Associate Media Planner jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Associate Media Planner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,406 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Assistant Media Planner, Digital

Horizon Media

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Description

Horizon Media, founded in 1989 by Bill Koenigsberg, is recognized as one of the most innovative marketing and advertising firms. We are headquartered in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. A leader in driving business solutions for marketers, Horizon is known for its highly personal approach to client service.Renowned for its incredible culture, Horizon is consistently named to all the prestigious annual Best Places to Work lists published by Fortune,AdAge, Crain's New York Business and Los Angeles Business Journal. Together we are building a place of belonging.
At Horizon, we understand the value that different perspectives can bring to our clients and culture, so we strive for an environment where our employees feel welcomed,safeand empowered. We value YOU and believe that your authentic voice and unique perspectiveallowsus to create a more rewarding culture, and experience, together.


Our simple recipe for success? We hire talented people (thinkers, doers, dreamers, makers), challenge them and give them every opportunity to grow.

Job Summary

The Assistant Digital Media Planner is a crucial position which requires an individual to work well within a team and be prepared for a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment. This individual is expected to show resourcefulness, exhibit accountability, and understand their role well enough to work independently anddemonstrateinitiative. The Assistant Media Planner, Digital is expected to be an active participant in meetings and day-to-day interactions with an increasing level of contribution as the experience builds.

This individual is expected to contributeinthe planning,implementingandmaintainingof digital media campaigns. As an entry level position, the Assistant Media Planner, Digital positionrepresentsthe start of a media career and is highly supported by the team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • 30%- Collaborates with Media Planners, Sr. Planners and Supervisors for strategy and plan development in areas such as:

  • Learns and employs Horizon's suite of planning,evaluationand buying tools (i.e.Nielsen,Comscore, eMarketer and Forrester) for application/analysis into competitive landscape, target digital consumption support, plandevelopmentandreporting

  • Participates in team brainstorms to kick off plan and consideration setdevelopment

  • Provides critical thinking and analysis to draw conclusions and construe actionableimplications

  • Monitor trends, tools,opportunitiesand applications in paid social media environments, and appropriately apply thatknowledge

  • Responsible for compiling updates on partner capabilities and offerings through vendor contact and Subject Matter Expert contact anddisseminatingto the rest ofintegratedplanning team.

  • Meets with subject matter experts at frequency and consistency set by Integrated Associate Media Director and respective Subject Matter Expert for educational and continuedadvancement

  • Learns how to create and present media specific documents such as RFPs, media plans,objectivesand strategies decks, and other relatedfunctions

  • Supports team in media plan development stage to collect RFP responses from partners/ sites,assistin analyzing proposals and partnernegotiations

  • 15%- Responsible for campaign execution

  • Traffic plan assets such as creative and required trackingtags

  • Help to set up 3rd party ad server/trackersystem:follows through to ensure sites are enabled, functioning properly and all materials are received from creative agency

  • Executes Quality Assurance (QA) of tracking functionality and creative units toidentifyand solve anyissues

  • Creates campaign post launch information such as screenshots,linksand placement information todemonstrateproof of placement forclients

  • 30%- Responsible for campaign management

  • Enters and manages plans in billing system (SBMS), tracks insertion orders, creative specifications development, and handles Traffic sheets/creative assignment asnecessary

  • Generate insertion orders within internal systems tool to reserve advertising space andis responsible foraccuracy of plan details and confirmation of delivery ensuring properprotocol

  • Maintain plan records, insertion orders, contact lists, specdocumentsand TI sheets etc.

  • Assistin managing andoptimizingself-service paid social activation across Facebook,Twitterand other relevant socialenvironments

  • Assistsin management day-to-day communication with key partners: Vendors, Partner Agencies and Creative media and socialclients

  • 25%- Responsible for reporting on campaign performance

  • Builds campaign performance reporting inclusive of aggregating information from third party servers and site directreporting

  • Creates and evaluates campaign effectiveness via reporting (predetermined cadences) and post campaignanalysis

  • Assistsin monitoring and reporting weekly on paid social performance, providing an active voice communicating optimization opportunities andchallenges

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • BA/BSrequired

  • Strong writing,presentationand analytical thinking skills

  • Able to work independently and have excellent time managementskills

  • Detail-oriented with strong attention tofollow-through

  • Nimble and flexible to succeed in a fast-paced environment and handle ad hocrequests

  • Strong teamplayer

  • Interest and familiarity through use of digital media

  • Experience w/ excel helpful, but notrequired

Certificates,licensesand registrations

N/A

Physical Activity and Work Environment

N/A

The statementshereinare intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed byemployees, andare not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skillsrequired ofpersonnel so classified. Furthermore, they do notestablisha contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Salary Range

$40,000.00 - $50,000.00

A successful applicant's actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual's skill sets, experience, training, education, licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role. As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach. We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.