Carat, the world’s largest integrated marketing and media services company, is looking for a Multicultural Communications Planner to join our Communications Planning team. At Carat, we believe in transforming communications. The depth and breadth of Carat’s offerings and ability to encompass all consumer touch points, gives us a unique ability to activate all expressions of a client’s brand. Curiosity, Creativity, and Collaboration drive our people to deliver superior communications solutions in an innovative and empowering work environment. Carat is a full service, award winning agency that is part of one of the world’s fastest growing marketing communications groups, Aegis Media.
Communications Planner
The Communications Planner (CP) is the day-to-day focal point to the account. The Communications Planner is expected to have day-to-day responsibility for assigned accounts and is expected to have an understanding of the client’s overall business and marketing objectives. This individual will work across US Hispanic, US African America, and Puerto Rico markets. The Communications Planner is the steward of the tactical communications planning process and provides mid-level strategic recommendations to the senior media team and/or client. The Communications Planner is expected to have a strong working knowledge of the media space (including digital media) and available media research. They are also expected to be proficient with Carat tools and procedures (both media and inter-department). The Communications Planner is expected to be an active participant on the business; consistently engaged and contributing ideas and insights that will benefit our clients.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Communications Planning and Execution:
Aids in the creation of client media communication plan objectives and strategies
Creates and maintains media plans, flowcharts, buying guidelines, testing plans & results analysis, budget summaries, plan delivery and competitive reports
Provide input into existing and emerging communications opportunities relevant to assigned brand/category OR Writes POVs as needed and evaluate new media types / outlets
Support Communications Planning Supervisor in the collection and evaluation of syndicated consumer and media consumption information
Compiles reports of competitive market/media information for each brand/category
Support ACPD/CPS as a facilitating contact point for client’s internal media staff and the primary contact point to client’s brand staff when media issues are discussed
May oversee the work of Assistant Communication Planners, ensuring that all deliverables are error free before they are submitted to Supervisors/clients
Client & Internal Relationships:
May manage day-to-day client interaction
May manage expectations of clients and deliverables
Assist Supervisor in advising clients on the best ways to integrate media into their advertising and marketing programs
Assist Supervisor in growing business opportunities within current clients
Keeps up with the latest trends in media
May be responsible for informing client/team of new opportunities or issues
Participates and leads, if appropriate, face to face client and vendor meetings
Builds positive relationships with internal and external teams and sets good example for assistant level
Strategic Thinking & Leadership
Works with management team (CPS, ACPD, CPD) to develop strategies for communication plans
Share new and relevant advertising opportunities in written and verbal form to the media department
Strategizes ways to effectively use media dollars to the greatest benefit for our clients
Assess problems and concerns in a systematic, logical and rational manner
Proactively resolve issues, know when to and to whom to escalate
Provide guidance to team members nurture/promote team environment
Assist in training of junior team members
May be responsible for working with Supervisor to develop and oversee junior staff- manage time, assure projects are completed on time and adhered to (within) budget
May be responsible for constructing and delivering accurate, honest and timely performance management documents
Capable of managing multiple deliverables and ability to seamlessly transition among them
Communication Skills:
Express oneself clearly and concisely in oral communications
Write in a clear, compelling and concise manner
Organize ideas and information logically and sequentially
Assist in the development of media presentations, general overviews, and tactical POVs
Develop client reports that are clear, compelling and persuasive
Ensure key information is provided to team regarding client issues, internal agency issues, changes in account status, etc.
EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
Bachelor’s Degree
2-5 years of media planning/buying experience
Participation in at least one full planning cycle and development/implementation of at least two media plans
Thorough understanding of the media process, media department and inter-department relationships
Demonstrated ability to generate and present well-considered ideas and solutions
Thrives in a fast pace, constantly changing environment; can adapt plans due to changes in client objectives, priorities or budgets while minimizing impact on project momentum
Strong analytical skills, ability to relate results to client business objectives
Balanced ability to perform analytically and creatively
Experience with online research tools such as Neilsen, @Plan, AdRelevance, etc.
Advanced computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
