The position of digital media director is relatively new. It has only existed since the mid-1990s, when computer-based media and advertising became a viable market. The actual responsibilities of a digital media director vary from place to place because the job is still relatively new to many people. Overseeing teams of media creators and planners, collaborating with clients on digital media projects, and developing new digital media advertising formats are all common responsibilities.
A digital media director typically has a college education, but this position can be obtained through a variety of paths. A degree in traditional or digital marketing is common for someone in this position. He or she will most likely have the experience and background to plan and implement campaigns, as well as the business acumen to manage a department. Graphic design, search engine optimization, and webpage creation and programming are some of the less common jobs that lead to this career.
Most digital media directors are in charge of their own department or a section within one. This can have a variety of meanings depending on the size of the organization. In larger firms, they may have a full team, while in smaller firms, they may only have a single assistant. Smaller businesses frequently require directors to handle their own accounting, whereas larger businesses do not. The director’s primary contact with digital clients is also determined by the size and configuration of the company.
The most common job of a digital media director is to oversee the creation of digital content, whether he works alone or with a team. Typically, this content is used to promote the parent company or a client. It’s usually intended for online distribution and may include music, graphics, or interactive media.
Because of the rapid changes in this field, it is critical for a digital media director to stay on top of trends in a variety of industries. As a result, predicting trends in the online marketing world is a common job. Companies may create campaigns that target emerging trends and groups, relying on the director’s predictions for accuracy.
Viral marketing and interactive advertising are two tools in the media director’s toolbox. Both marketing strategies rely on the public to do the majority of the distribution, and both areas work well with online releases. The director uses viral marketing to create something that people will want to share with others. One person will show it to all of his friends, who will then show it to their friends, and so on, with the advertising spreading like a virus.
People are given instructions to perform a task, find an object, or solve a riddle in order to learn a clue in interactive advertising. The clue directs them to a new task, effectively turning the ad campaign into a game. Campaigns like this have been attempted in the past, but they didn’t become truly effective until the market became saturated with media-capable cell phones and social networking sites.