Even in digital where talent is scarce and competition for it is fierce, those at the top of the agency game often earn significantly more than those on the rungs below them. WPP’s chief digital officer Mark Read, for example, earned over $2 million in 2011 according to company filings.
With that in mind, Digiday decided to examine exactly what that kind of money could buy at the agency level if it wasn’t being spent on holding company execs. Based on our reporting and research by The Creative Group, this is the digital talent we estimate $2 million a year could pay for.
–
5 chief digital officers
At major traditional agencies, chief digital officers can earn upwards of $350,000. You could hire five of them for $2 million a year.
–
12 interactive creative directors
In digital, creative directors pull in around $160,000 on average. At that rate, $2 million a year would pay for 12 of them.
–
18 digital strategists
Digital strategists command around $110,000, so $2 million a year would buy 18.
–
50 junior media buyers
Entry-level digital media buying positions start at around $40,000 at major media agencies. At that rate, $2 million a year would pay for 50 of them.
–
30 social media specialists
$2 million a year would afford 30 social media specialists at around $65,000 each.
–
20 UX designers
Mid-level user experience people earn salaries upwards of $100,000. Based on that figure, $2 million would pay 22 for 12 months.
–
22 SEO/SEM specialists
Search specialists earn, on average, around $90,000 a year. $2 million would employ 22 of them.
Image via Shutterstock
More in Marketing
Digiday+ Research: Publishers anticipate having more time with third-party cookies than marketers
The timeline on which Google will officially kill the third-party cookie is anyone’s guess at this point. According to a Digiday+ Research survey conducted in the second quarter, marketers’ guesses look very different from publishers’.
The Guardian moves closer to being a reader-supported business as it launches new cooking app
The app is being used to provide a compelling offering which encourages readers to support the Guardian more financially, while also reaching new audiences.
Manchester City uses Fortnite to expand its global audience
As Manchester City rolls out its own Fortnite experience, it will have to contend with the fact that this brand new world does not come with a pre-existing user base. To address this problem, the company plans to leverage its network of players and talent to spread the word across their social feeds.