Associate Director, Communications Strategy

Description

North America End-to-End Associate Strategy Director

EssenceMediacom is a new breed of media agency. Grounded in analytics & insights and powered by data & technology, we believe in the power of media and creative to drive breakthroughs for the world's best brands. We help clients understand the modern marketing paradox and discover the breakthroughs brands need to win with their consumers. We are designed for the new communications economy - built on data & technology, built for people & algorithms, built around diverse schools of thought, built to test & learn at scale, and, crucially, built to evolve.

Role Summary & Impact

As an Associate Director of Strategy, you will be an integral and supporting member of media strategy, product, and campaign management. You will be fully embedded in each client team and involved from the earliest stages of the planning process through campaign execution and measurement. You will also interface with mid-level executives at our clients as well as the full team within the agency.

• Contribute significantly to the development of communications strategies that activate consumer insights, drive innovation for clients and provide structure for brand channel presence/priorities.
• Exhibit understanding and actively contributes strategic input/product into the total channel planning process.
• Distill client briefs and translates them into an insights-led media strategy and communication brief with clear media objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the Insights team to analyze client business situations and identify key objectives for communications.
• Support the development of and identify key roles for media; help define how media should complement and connect with other marketing activities.
• Identify areas for continuous innovation of the agency's product ensuring the use of strategy and insights in a coordinated manner working towards the same goals.
• Partner with Ideas and Planning team throughout the plan build, ensuring that the strategy is inspiring and actionable.
• Partner with Accountability and Performance group to ensure appropriate measurement plans are in place and executed flawlessly.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to integrate messaging and creative campaigns into overall media/communications plans.
• Develop strategic intelligence via keeping abreast of industry developments, macro and consumer trends, technology (tablet, other tech devices), etc.

• Bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, business administration, and communications; OR equivalent professional work experience.
• 5+ years overall industry experience, at least 1-2 in strategic capacity
• Strong knowledge of client's business, competition, and latest industry news and trends.
• Understanding of the principles of media and able to think across the whole media mix, marketing and advertising, as well as an understanding of media concepts and terms, creative and budget requirements.
• Understanding of media data sources and research tools in terms of what is measured, the method and the information reported.
• Detail-oriented, resourceful and self-motivated. Ability to manage multiple projects and requests from numerous groups
• Show appropriate time management skills, including self-initiation in downtime and completion of projects on time.
• Active/passionate interest in advertising/media strategy, technology, popular culture, current events and their subsequent impact on business.
• Superior communication skills - written and presentation, articulate in dialogue.
• Resilience, smart and creative thinking and an innovative outlook.
• Influence and persuasive skills, collaborative and able to work well with a variety of disciplines and personality types.