Media/Advertising Buyer Resume Samples and Templates for 2026

Media Buyer Resume Examples and Templates: A Complete Guide

A professional media buyer resume is essential for standing out in India’s dynamic advertising and media industry. Whether you’re applying for positions at leading media agencies like GroupM, Madison, or Dentsu, digital media companies like Google or Meta, advertising agencies like Ogilvy or JWT, or corporate brand teams at major companies, your resume should highlight your media buying expertise, campaign optimisation skills, and ability to deliver ROI-driven media strategies.

This guide walks you through media buyer resume examples and templates, formatting tips, and keywords to help you write a resume that stands out to recruiters at leading media organisations in India.

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Understanding the Media Buyer Role in India

Media buyers are advertising professionals responsible for purchasing advertising space and time across various media channels to reach target audiences effectively. From negotiating television spots to managing programmatic digital campaigns, media buyers in India work across traditional and digital platforms to maximise campaign performance while optimising media investments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and executing media buying strategies across channels
• Negotiating rates with media vendors and publishers
• Managing media budgets and optimising spend allocation
• Analysing campaign performance and ROI metrics
• Building relationships with media partners
• Coordinating with creative and planning teams
• Implementing programmatic and digital buying strategies
• Preparing media reports and client presentations

India’s expanding advertising industry, digital transformation, and growing brand investments create strong demand for skilled media buyers across agencies, publishers, and corporate marketing teams.

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Preparing to Write Your Media Buyer Resume

Before drafting your resume, gather all relevant information:

Professional details to compile:

• Complete employment history in media/advertising roles
• Media budgets managed and results achieved
• Campaigns executed across different media
• Media tools and platforms proficiency
• Client relationships and industries served
• Certifications and training completed
• Awards and recognition received
• Vendor relationships developed

Research target employers:

• Review requirements from media agencies (GroupM, Madison)
• Understand expectations at digital platforms (Google, Meta)
• Note specific qualifications mentioned in job descriptions

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Choosing the Best Resume Format

Select a format that best presents your media buying experience:

Chronological Format

Best for media buyers with steady career progression in advertising and media roles. Highlights your work at organisations in reverse chronological order.

Functional Format

Suitable for those transitioning from sales, marketing, or related fields who want to emphasise media buying skills and negotiation abilities.

Combination Format

Ideal for experienced buyers with diverse experience across different media types, agency formats, or client industries.

Format recommendations by experience: | Experience Level | Recommended Format | Resume Length | |-----------------|-------------------|---------------| | Entry-level (0-3 years) | Chronological | 1-2 pages | | Mid-level (3-7 years) | Combination | 2 pages | | Senior (7+ years) | Chronological | 2-3 pages |

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Professional Summary Examples

Your professional summary should immediately communicate your media buying expertise:

Junior Media Buyer

MBA graduate from MICA seeking media buying position at leading media agency. Completed internship at GroupM India working on FMCG media campaigns. Proficient in Google Ads, Meta Ads, and media planning tools. Strong knowledge of digital and traditional media. Excellent negotiation and analytical skills. Eager to contribute to client success while developing expertise in media buying.

Media Buyer

Results-driven media buyer with 4+ years of experience executing media campaigns at leading advertising agencies. Currently Media Buyer at Madison Communications managing ₹30 crore annual media budget for FMCG and automobile clients. Expertise in television, digital, and print buying. Achieved 25% cost savings through effective negotiations. MBA from SIBM with Google and Meta certifications.

Senior Media Buyer

Strategic media buying professional with 8+ years of experience managing large-scale media investments at network agencies. Currently Senior Media Buyer at GroupM India handling ₹100 crore annual media budget across television, digital, and OOH. Expertise in programmatic buying, media analytics, and vendor management. Delivered 30% improvement in media ROI. MBA from XLRI with proven track record of campaign success.

Media Buying Director

Seasoned media leader with 14+ years of experience leading media buying teams at premier agencies. Currently Director of Media Buying at Dentsu India managing ₹500 crore annual media investments with team of 25 buyers. Expertise in cross-channel buying, advanced programmatic, and media technology. Built strategic partnerships with top media owners. MBA from IIM Bangalore. Known for innovation and delivering exceptional client value.

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Showcasing Your Work Experience

Present your media buying experience with specific achievements and metrics:

Director of Media Buying

Dentsu India | Mumbai April 2018 – Present

• Lead media buying function managing ₹500 crore annual media investments
• Manage team of 25 media buyers across television, digital, and print
• Develop buying strategies for Fortune 500 clients including HUL, Samsung, and Airtel
• Achieve 35% average cost savings through strategic negotiations
• Implement programmatic buying delivering 40% efficiency improvement
• Build strategic partnerships with Star, Sony, and Google India
• Drive digital transformation increasing digital share to 45%
• Establish buying best practices adopted across network
• Mentor and develop next generation media buying leaders
• Receive “Media Leader of the Year” recognition (2022)

Senior Media Buyer

GroupM India | Mumbai June 2014 – March 2018

• Managed media buying for FMCG clients with ₹100 crore annual budget
• Negotiated television deals achieving 30% cost savings
• Executed digital campaigns across Google, Facebook, and programmatic
• Built relationships with top 20 media owners in India
• Trained team of 6 junior buyers on media buying practices
• Achieved 100% client retention over 4-year tenure
• Implemented new buying tools improving efficiency by 25%
• Promoted from Media Buyer to Senior Media Buyer
• Received “Best Negotiator” award from GroupM

Media Buyer

Madison Communications | Mumbai July 2011 – May 2014

• Executed media buying for retail and telecom clients
• Managed ₹30 crore annual media budget across channels
• Negotiated rates with television and print media owners
• Achieved consistent cost savings on all campaigns
• Prepared buying recommendations and post-buy analysis
• Built vendor relationships improving service quality
• Completed agency’s media buying training programme
• Received positive client feedback consistently

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Essential Skills for Media Buyers

Buying Skills

• Media buying strategy
• Rate negotiation
• Vendor management
• Budget allocation
• Cost optimisation
• Inventory management
• Contract negotiation
• Value-added negotiation
• Sponsorship buying
• Multi-channel buying

Technical Skills

• Programmatic buying (DV360, The Trade Desk)
• Google Ads and Search buying
• Meta Ads Manager
• Nielsen/BARC data analysis
• Excel and data modelling
• Media planning tools
• Ad serving platforms
• Campaign management systems
• Analytics and reporting tools
• Billing and reconciliation

Soft Skills

• Negotiation
• Relationship building
• Analytical thinking
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Team collaboration
• Client management
• Strategic thinking

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Qualifications for Media Buyers

Educational Qualifications

Qualification	Institution Type	Relevance
MBA Marketing/Advertising	MICA, top B-schools	Preferred qualification
PGDM in Advertising	MICA, NIFT	Specialised training
Mass Communication	Top journalism schools	Foundation
B.Com/BBA	Universities	Entry pathway
BA Economics	Universities	Analytical base
Any graduate with MBA	Universities + B-school	Career transition

Professional Certifications

• Google Ads Certification
• Meta Blueprint Certification
• Programmatic Buying Certification
• The Trade Desk Certification
• DV360 Certification
• Analytics Certification
• Digital Marketing Certification
• Excel Advanced Certification

Additional Training

• Media buying workshops
• Negotiation skills training
• Programmatic certification courses
• Data analytics training
• Vendor management programmes
• Industry conferences (Goafest, ad:tech)
• Agency training programmes

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Tips by Experience Level

Entry-Level Buyers (0-3 years)

• Highlight MBA/PGDM education and internships
• Include any agency or media company experience
• Emphasise digital media platform proficiency
• Showcase analytical and Excel skills
• Include Google/Meta certifications

Target employers: Trainee positions at media agencies, digital agencies

Mid-Level Buyers (3-7 years)

• Quantify budgets managed and savings achieved
• Highlight media channel expertise
• Showcase vendor relationship building
• Demonstrate campaign success metrics
• Include team training experience

Target positions: Senior Media Buyer, Buying Supervisor

Senior Buyers (7+ years)

• Emphasise P&L responsibility and strategic impact
• Highlight team leadership experience
• Showcase major client relationships
• Demonstrate industry recognition
• Include innovation and transformation initiatives

Target positions: Buying Director, Head of Investment, VP Media

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ATS Optimisation for Media Buyer Resumes

Ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems:

Essential keywords to include:

• Media buyer, buying
• Media planning, advertising
• Negotiation, rates, cost savings
• Television, digital, print, OOH
• Programmatic, DV360, Google Ads
• Budget, ROI, efficiency
• GroupM, Madison (if applicable)
• MICA, MBA marketing
• BARC, Nielsen, ratings
• Vendor, publisher, inventory

ATS-friendly formatting:

• Use standard section headings (Summary, Experience, Skills, Education)
• List media channels and tools clearly
• Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting
• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Include budget values and savings percentages

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Conclusion

A professional media buyer resume is essential for success in India’s dynamic advertising and media industry. Whether you’re targeting positions at network agencies, independent shops, digital platforms, or brand-side media teams, your resume must demonstrate your media buying expertise, negotiation skills, and ability to deliver exceptional value on media investments.

Focus on quantifying your achievements—budgets managed, cost savings achieved, efficiency improvements, and client relationships built. Highlight your agency experience and certifications that validate your expertise. With India’s growing advertising industry and increasing complexity in media buying, skilled media buyers have excellent career opportunities across traditional and digital media.

Use our resume builder to create an ATS-optimised media buyer resume, or explore our professional templates designed specifically for advertising professionals in India.