Media Associate

Description

Open position in all True Media office locations including Kansas City, MO, Columbia, MO, St. Louis MO, and Minneapolis, MN; Hybrid work schedule: 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home

The Media Associate will gain exposure to a variety of departments with tasks that support the True Success processes. They must become well versed in internal media software including Advantage, Asana, and DataStride, as well as client dashboards, some research tools, and general media practices. They should be a self-starter to keep up with our fast-paced environment. They should be inquisitive, proactive, take pride in their work, and enjoy being part of a team. They must become well versed in digital, traditional and emerging media and be a self-starter to stay abreast in a fast changing environment. 

An important part of the associate position is to determine which discipline they have an aptitude and passion for, therefore exposure to and work within each department across the agency is important.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)

Account Management

• Assist with the creation of client materials including presentation decks, performance reports, and flowcharts. Develop an understanding of the purpose and basic structure of a media brief and MAP doc.
• Attend client meetings to understand the basics of how to effectively and expertly present deliverables.
• Actively participate, establish and provide POVs on various topics internally to the account team.

Planning & Strategy

• Develop a basic understanding of media research tools available within the Agency and gather media research required for planning.
• Develop a working ability to perform basic platform pulls from identified platforms such as Simmons.
• Understands the difference between a channel and a tactic.
• Compile demographic data and consumer profiles to identify desired target audiences for specific media channels, including lifestyles and psychographics, which can be used in developing media plans.
• Develop introductory abilities in the roles and responsibilities of a Planner in reporting.

Activation Strategy - Digital, Performance, Spot, & Spot Traffic

• Develop a basic understanding of media research tools available within the Agency and gather media research required for activation. Assist with buying guideline creation, generating and issuing IOs (Insertion Orders) and creative spec development across all media types.
• Assist in creating and sending vendor RFPs and organizing responses. Gain a working knowledge in how to input data into Advantage Planner, Strata Eleven, and other systems. Assist with sending traffic instructions through Strata STraffic. 
• Develop paid search keywords and conduct audience research, draft ad copy, understand campaign structure and conduct builds, traffic ads, identify optimizations, and help pull reports for the purpose of reporting.
• Participate in the activation phase by assisting with buying guideline creation, generating and issuing IOs (Insertion Orders) and creative spec development across all media types. Collect, develop and issue deadlines for materials needed and report deadlines for creative and internal traffic team. Assist in investigating and resolving esheets.
• Assist with the development and proofing of media plans across all channels, working with specialized activation teams in areas of traditional and digital media.

Project Management

• Develop a basic understanding of Project Management as a discipline and the role it plays in strategic work - including but not limited to scopes of work, hours estimates, timelines, media authorizations, and file architecture.
• Assist with creation of status agendas and Asana tasks. Follow up on outstanding tasks as needed. Collect, develop and issue deadlines for materials needed and report deadlines for creative and internal traffic team. Manage and organize creative intake and updating the launch doc. Pull reports to conduct spend checks. Thorough project set up and structure, outline and monitor adherence of the account team to agency roles and process. Proactively facilitate internal account communication, including resolution of issues.

Campaign Operations

• Develop an understanding of campaign measurement strategies including the use of DataStride and working with RADaR where appropriate. Monitor campaign delivery and media delivery reporting as needed. Understand and assist with campaign trafficking and pacing. Able to pull data from GA4 and GCM for reporting needs.
• Review and understand campaigns and implement tracking that aligns with client goals. Monitor campaign pacing and work with a Specialist or Supervisor to understand how to resolve any issues that arise.
• Traffic creative to meet vendor specifications and communicate effectively in relevant channels at each step.

Billing & Auditing

• Develop understanding of media accounting which includes billing, reconciliation and budget management. May be required to manage invoice discrepancy, actualize flowcharts or review client billing.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with media partners and internal team members. Appropriately respond to all communication, including email and calls within 1-business day. Identify issues and problems that may arise, troubleshoot and provide solutions to supervisors. Understand and identify in all cases when escalating issues to a more senior team member is necessary.
• Develop cross-function rapport and understanding in order to move client work forward in an effective and efficient manner. This includes but is not limited to members of True Independent Holding affiliates.
• Demonstrate a high level of understanding of Advantage, Report Writer and Excel Pivot tables in order to organize, analyze and present key media and client data.
• Maintain current and accurate time records related to functions of agency and client work assignments in the Advantage software system. 
• Attend internal training, online conferences and seminars related to areas of focus. 
• Maintain up-to-date certifications and keep up with industry trends.

Qualifications

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Individuals must be proficient with industry tools and systems. They must develop an understanding of media fundamentals including, media math, reach/ frequency, consumer/market research, plan development, scopes of work, project timelines, analytics and reporting, etc. Experience with Excel, specifically, is required.
• They must also successfully complete the required industry certifications - including, but not limited to, Google Ads Fundamentals, Google Analytics and Search tests - within six months in position, then renew yearly.

Education

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, with a degree or concentration in advertising, marketing, or communications preferred; or one to two years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Total Perks Package

• The chance to be a part of a growing company and the next success story
• Amazing opportunities for career development
• Recognition programs
• Employee referral bonus
• Hybrid work schedule; 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home
• Fun and collaborative work environment
• Casual dress code
• Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability)
• 401(k) retirement plan, with employer 3% match
• Work/life benefits, including mental health and wellbeing support
• Robust Paid Time Off program, increasing with years of employment
• Paid holidays, including agency closing Christmas Eve-New Years Day
• Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Paid Time Off, plus Voluntary Paid Leave Bank