Communications Designer (Media Planner)

Business Overview 

We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame & Flow for brands like Nike, Amazon, Merck, and T-Mobile. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.  

We make a promise to our people that we double down on seeing, celebrating & elevating all the things that make you, uniquely you. And just as we do for our brands and clients, we connect our people to the journeys that matter in building a meaningful career.  

There are four I’s in Initiative and these represent our core values and behaviors.  

• INDIVID[YOU]ALITY – you bring your genuine and unique self to and into the work, every day.  
• INSTINCT – you’re tuned in and armed with intelligence; you have a bias for action – shit happens when you’re around.  
• IMPACT! – you care deeply about the impact you have on our clients, their customers, our community, the media landscape and our world at large.  
• IMAGINATION – your ability to imagine and bring to life the ideas, solutions, and the future of Initiative, makes us THE create media agency in the world. 

Position Summary

As a Communications Designer you are an important part of the creation of the most appropriate communications plan for your client to achieve their business goals. You are responsible for helping to strategize, produce and make sense of the key media, consumer and market intelligence required to your clients’ connections plan. You have a passion for brands, media and ideas, and within the team are considered the go-to-person on the latest news and innovations going on in media.

In this role, you will develop, recommend, execute, and evaluate digital media plans from inception to completion with moderate oversight from the Manager. The Communications Designer should be able to work fairly independently once given project parameters, goals and budgets to develop a sound recommendation with clear rationale.

Responsibilities

• Contributor to impactful communications plan development to meet client needs and deliver communications idea
• Attend regular client status meetings, creative statuses and maintain on-going rapport
• Analyze and provide clients with research data and media/marketing information; including real-time opportunities to ensure our clients are remaining competitive
• Provide communications and audience intelligence and data inputs through the application of syndicated and proprietary systems for communications design goal setting and decision making
• Provide partner selection recommendation and justification designed to deliver on client KPI’s using the most sophisticated use of data and analytics, via multi-faceted, strategic partnerships, while delivering maximum strategic value and efficiency
• Develop the RFPs and oversee the submission process with media partners
• Develop industry and partner POV’s with Manager’s oversight
• Oversee all production timelines, creative development and creative hand-offs to ensure campaign launches on time and without issue
• Evaluate partner proposals, negotiate plan details, develop plan and ultimately present plan recommendations to internal stakeholders and clients
• Oversee campaign implementation, optimization, and performance of campaign activities including authorizations, IO’s, budgets, creative, reporting and the billing and reconciliation process
• Manage all partner specific budget allocation, optimization, media partnership programs and added value details

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in an integrated planning role in media, publisher/vendor, or communications discipline (digital, content)
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong time-management and organizational skills
• Required PC proficiency and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Desired Skills and Experience

• 1+ years of experience in a digital media planning/buying position at an advertising/media agency
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and vendors
• Experience analyzing data and market research
• Experience delegating assignments to junior staff

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family.

The salary range for this position is posted below.  Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.   

Employment Transparency

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position with Mediabrands, please email accommodation@mbww.com.