Introduction: Buying Attention in the Attention Economy In today’s fragmented media landscape, media buying is how brands purchase attention. Whether it’s an ad on YouTube, a sponsored Instagram Story, or a highway billboard, media buying is the strategic process of acquiring media space to deliver a marketing message. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about media buying in 2025—from fundamentals to advanced negotiation strategies. What Is Media Buying? Media buying is the process of purchasing ad placements across channels like TV, radio, digital, or outdoor media to promote a product or service. It involves: Planning media budgets Negotiating rates and value additions Monitoring ad delivery Maximizing ROI through strategic placement Media buying is executed by specialists either within marketing teams or via dedicated media agencies. What Does a Media Buyer Do? A media buyer is responsible for: Negotiating ad rates with media vendors Placing ads where they’ll…