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Media Planner Resume Samples and Templates for 2026

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Media Planner Resume Examples and Templates: A Complete Guide

A professional media planner resume is essential for standing out in India’s competitive advertising and media industry. Whether you’re applying for positions at leading media agencies like GroupM, Dentsu, or IPG Mediabrands, advertising agencies like Ogilvy or McCann, digital agencies like iProspect or Performics, or corporate brand teams at major companies, your resume should highlight your strategic planning expertise, media channel knowledge, and ability to develop effective media strategies.

This guide walks you through media planner 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.

Understanding the Media Planner Role in India

Media planners are strategic advertising professionals responsible for developing comprehensive media strategies that effectively reach target audiences across multiple channels. From analysing consumer behaviour to recommending optimal media mix, media planners in India work closely with clients and creative teams to ensure advertising investments deliver maximum impact and ROI.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing media strategies and plans aligned with client objectives
Analysing target audiences and consumer media consumption
Recommending optimal media mix across channels
Preparing media flowcharts and budget allocations
Conducting competitive media analysis
Presenting media recommendations to clients
Evaluating campaign performance and providing insights
Coordinating with buying teams for plan execution

India’s growing advertising industry, media fragmentation, and increasing data-driven planning create strong demand for skilled media planners across agencies and corporate marketing teams.

Preparing to Write Your Media Planner Resume

Before drafting your resume, gather all relevant information:

Professional details to compile:

Complete employment history in media/advertising roles
Media budgets planned and campaigns executed
Clients served and industries covered
Media planning tools and software proficiency
Research and analytics experience
Certifications and training completed
Awards and recognition received
Client presentations delivered

Research target employers:

Review requirements from media agencies (GroupM, Dentsu)
Understand expectations at advertising agencies
Note specific qualifications mentioned in job descriptions

Choosing the Best Resume Format

Select a format that best presents your media planning experience:

Chronological Format

Best for media planners 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 marketing, research, or related fields who want to emphasise analytical and strategic planning skills.

Combination Format

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

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 |

Professional Summary Examples

Your professional summary should immediately communicate your media planning expertise:

Assistant Media Planner

MBA graduate from MICA seeking media planning position at leading media agency. Completed internship at Mindshare India working on FMCG media plans. Proficient in media planning tools, Excel, and research platforms. Strong knowledge of traditional and digital media. Excellent analytical and presentation skills. Eager to contribute to client success while developing expertise in strategic media planning.

Media Planner

Analytical media planner with 4+ years of experience developing media strategies at leading advertising agencies. Currently Media Planner at Dentsu India managing ₹40 crore annual planning for automobile and technology clients. Expertise in integrated media planning, digital strategy, and consumer insights. Achieved 20% improvement in campaign effectiveness. MBA from SIBM with Google Analytics certification.

Senior Media Planner

Strategic media planning professional with 8+ years of experience leading media strategy at network agencies. Currently Senior Media Planner at GroupM India managing ₹150 crore annual planning across FMCG and retail sectors. Expertise in cross-channel planning, media modelling, and data-driven strategies. Delivered 35% improvement in media ROI through optimised planning. MBA from XLRI with strong client presentation skills.

Planning Director

Seasoned media strategist with 14+ years of experience leading media planning teams at premier agencies. Currently Planning Director at IPG Mediabrands managing ₹400 crore annual media strategy with team of 20 planners. Expertise in integrated communications, marketing effectiveness, and media innovation. Built award-winning media strategies for Fortune 500 clients. MBA from IIM Bangalore. Known for strategic vision and client leadership.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

Present your media planning experience with specific achievements and metrics:

Planning Director

IPG Mediabrands | Mumbai April 2018 – Present

Lead media planning function managing ₹400 crore annual media strategy
Manage team of 20 media planners across strategy and digital
Develop integrated media strategies for Fortune 500 clients including P&G, Coca-Cola, and Amazon
Implement data-driven planning delivering 40% improvement in effectiveness
Build proprietary planning frameworks adopted across network
Lead pitch presentations winning ₹80 crore new business
Drive innovation in programmatic and addressable media planning
Establish planning best practices and training programmes
Mentor and develop next generation planning leaders
Receive “Strategic Planner of the Year” recognition (2022)

Senior Media Planner

GroupM India | Mumbai June 2014 – March 2018

Developed media strategies for FMCG clients with ₹150 crore annual budget
Created integrated plans across television, digital, print, and OOH
Conducted consumer research informing media channel selection
Achieved 35% improvement in media ROI through optimised planning
Presented strategies to client CMOs and marketing directors
Trained team of 6 junior planners on planning methodology
Won Effie Award for media effectiveness (2017)
Promoted from Media Planner to Senior Planner
Received “Rising Star” recognition from GroupM

Media Planner

Mindshare | Mumbai July 2011 – May 2014

Developed media plans for retail and telecom clients
Managed ₹40 crore annual planning across channels
Created media flowcharts and budget allocations
Conducted competitive media analysis
Prepared client presentations and recommendations
Coordinated with buying teams for plan execution
Completed agency’s planning training programme
Received positive client feedback consistently

Essential Skills for Media Planners

Strategic Skills

Media strategy development
Integrated planning
Media mix optimisation
Target audience analysis
Consumer insights
Competitive analysis
Budget allocation
Campaign planning
Channel strategy
Marketing effectiveness

Technical Skills

Media planning tools (Compass, TGI)
BARC/Nielsen data analysis
Digital planning tools
Google Analytics
Excel and data modelling
Research platforms
Presentation software
Campaign management systems
Audience measurement tools
Media modelling software

Soft Skills

Analytical thinking
Strategic thinking
Presentation skills
Client communication
Team collaboration
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Project management
Creativity
Leadership

Qualifications for Media Planners

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/Statistics	Universities	Analytical base
Any graduate with MBA	Universities + B-school	Career transition

Professional Certifications

Google Analytics Certification
Google Ads Certification
Meta Blueprint Certification
Digital Marketing Certification
Data Analytics Certification
Marketing Research Certification
Excel Advanced Certification
Presentation Skills Certification

Additional Training

Media planning methodology
Research and insights training
Data analytics courses
Presentation skills workshops
Strategic thinking programmes
Industry conferences (Goafest, ad:tech)
Agency training programmes

Tips by Experience Level

Entry-Level Planners (0-3 years)

Highlight MBA/PGDM education and internships
Include any agency or research company experience
Emphasise analytical and presentation skills
Showcase Excel and research tool proficiency
Include digital media knowledge

Target employers: Trainee positions at media agencies

Mid-Level Planners (3-7 years)

Quantify budgets planned and results achieved
Highlight media channel expertise developed
Showcase client presentation experience
Demonstrate strategic thinking capabilities
Include team training contributions

Target positions: Senior Media Planner, Planning Supervisor

Senior Planners (7+ years)

Emphasise strategic leadership and innovation
Highlight team management experience
Showcase client relationship building
Demonstrate industry recognition and awards
Include new business pitch success

Target positions: Planning Director, Head of Strategy, VP Planning

ATS Optimisation for Media Planner Resumes

Ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems:

Essential keywords to include:

Media planner, planning
Media strategy, integrated
Television, digital, print, OOH
Target audience, consumer insights
Budget, allocation, ROI
BARC, Nielsen, TGI
GroupM, Dentsu (if applicable)
MICA, MBA marketing
Analytics, research
Campaign, effectiveness

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 effectiveness metrics

Conclusion

A professional media planner resume is essential for success in India’s dynamic advertising and media industry. Whether you’re targeting positions at network agencies, independent shops, or brand-side planning teams, your resume must demonstrate your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and ability to develop effective media strategies that drive results.

Focus on quantifying your achievements—budgets planned, effectiveness improvements, awards won, and client presentations delivered. Highlight your agency experience and certifications that validate your expertise. With India’s growing advertising industry and increasing complexity in media planning, skilled media planners have excellent career opportunities across traditional and digital media.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What sections should a strong media planner resume include?

At minimum, include contact information, a professional summary, work experience, key skills, and education. Depending on your experience level, you may also add certifications, achievements, projects, or industry-specific sections that highlight your expertise.

How do I write a professional summary for a media planner role?

Keep it concise — two to three sentences highlighting your experience level, core competencies, and a key achievement or strength that shows why you're right for the job. Tailor it to match the specific role you're applying for.

What skills are most important to list on a media planner resume?

Include a mix of technical skills specific to media planner roles and soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Research job postings in your target companies to identify the most commonly requested skills.

How detailed should my work experience be?

Use bullet points to describe your roles, focusing on specific results, tools used, and the impact you made. Quantify achievements where possible — numbers and percentages help recruiters quickly understand your contributions.

Do I need certifications on my media planner resume?

Certifications aren't always required, but they can strengthen your application — especially if they demonstrate advanced training or specialised expertise. List the certification name, issuing organisation, and year obtained.

What's the best resume format for a media planner?

Most media planner professionals benefit from a reverse-chronological format that lists your most recent experience first. If you're changing careers or have gaps, a functional or combination format might work better.

How long should my media planner resume be?

Aim for one page if you're early in your career. Experienced professionals with extensive achievements can use two pages — just ensure every section adds value and remains relevant to the role.

Should I tailor my resume for each job application?

Yes. Customising your resume with keywords and responsibilities from the job posting improves your chances of passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and resonating with recruiters. Focus on relevant experience and skills for each role.

Media Planner Text-Only Resume Templates and Samples

ARVIND RAWAT

Phone: 9431278941

Email: arvind@abc.com

Address: C-21, Sector-21, Delhi

About Me

Media Planner

An Experienced Professional – Media Planning with Extensive experience of XX years in reaching the highest number of people with the lowest-priced ad possible; identifying target audience; coordinating the launch of media campaigns with marketing, communications, and sales departments
Keeping abreast of industry figures, including distribution and audience figures; monitoring buying strategies; monitoring and optimizing the effectiveness of campaigns; building relationships with media sales companies
Adept in identifying a combination of media that will enable the marketer to communicate the message; instrumental in buying advertising space in magazines or newspapers; purchasing advertising time on radio
Skilled in collecting information about the kinds of audiences that can be reached by the different media and the approximate size of those audiences; using a combination of several different kinds of media to reach different audiences
Gaining client approval for each campaign phase; working with media sales workers employed by newspapers, magazines, cable services, and radio and television stations; tracking down and buying space in print publications or television markets
Broad knowledge of media channels; familiarity with campaign evaluation metrics and media buying; excellent communication and teamwork skills; an analytical mind with an aptitude for statistics and maths; strong decision-making skills

Education

Marketing Management, Master of Business Administration, Completed, May 2006

Anna University

– Marks null

Chennai, TN

Certifications

Certified Media planner, Completed , January 2018

Work Experience

Period: April 2018 - Current

Senior Media Planner

Mantras2Success Consultants

Mumbai, MH

Work with the client and the account team to understand the client's business objectives and advertising strategy; liaise with the creative agency team, clients, and consumers to develop media strategies and campaigns
Work on several projects at the same time, often for several different clients
Make decisions on the best form of media for specific clients and campaigns
Undertake research and analyze data using specialist industry resources
Identify target audiences and analyze their characteristics, behavior, and media habits
Present proposals, including cost schedules, to clients
Recommend the most appropriate types of media to use, as well as the most effective time spans and locations; manage client relationships to build respect and gain their trust in the judgment
Work with colleagues, other departments, and media buyers either in-house or in a specialist agency
Make and maintain good contacts with media owners, such as newspapers, magazines, and websites
Proofread advertisement content before release; maintain detailed records  Evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns to inform future ones

Period: November 2013 - March 2017

Media Planner

Lodha Group

Noida, UP

Collected and analyzed market data; allocated budgets and monitor costs
Identified target audiences and understand their behavior and habits
Determined the best media outlet mix for campaigns
Optimized ad campaigns according to geographic exposure, frequency, time spans, and more
Followed-up media trends of online and offline outlets (TV shows, magazines, blogs, radio programs)
Evaluated the success of media strategies and campaigns