Integrated Media Planner

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

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring employer sponsorship.

The Integrated Media Specialist is responsible for developing, validating, and executing integrated media strategies and measurement frameworks that align with client business objectives. Working under the guidance of their direct manager and in collaboration with cross-functional teams, this role ensures media strategies are translated into effective tactical plans (fully integrated media plans) and executed successfully across traditional, digital, and emerging channels. All recommendations, whether documented or implemented, must be well-justified with clear reasoning and supported by data and insights.

Once provided with project parameters, objectives, and budgets, the Integrated Media Manager will work independently, as well as part of a cross functional team, to develop comprehensive recommendations and articulate their rationale. The full media plan will be executed efficiently, and client investments deliver measurable results.

In addition to strategic planning responsibilities, this role provides guidance and oversight during activation to ensure media plans are implemented accurately, optimized effectively, and aligned with the intended strategy.

Additionally, this role focuses on driving business improvement by effectively meeting individual and departmental objectives within specified timelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)

Integrated Media Planning and Strategy Development:

• Develop integrated media plans across traditional (TV, radio, print, OOH) and digital (social media, programmatic, paid search, etc.) channels.
• Align media strategies with client objectives, target audiences, media and industry landscape while supporting campaign goals.
• Collaborate with Activation Specialist teams (Spot/traditional, Performance and vendor teams) to create cohesive and effective tactical plans that align with the integrated strategy and channel mix.
• Manage and provide input on media briefs to ensure strategies and integrated plans align with the client’s core business goals and are structured to effectively achieve objectives.
• Develop strategic frameworks that guide campaign flighting, channel roles, and investment prioritization.

Vendor & Campaign Management:

• Support the development of RFPs, vendor evaluations, and proposal reviews to ensure media opportunities align with campaign objectives and performance goals.
• Provide strategic input into vendor negotiations, added value opportunities, and partner selection to maximize media investment.
• Ensure media activation aligns with defined measurement strategies, KPIs, and optimization frameworks.
• Collaborate with Activation Specialty and vendor teams to monitor campaign launches, pacing, and delivery to ensure accurate implementation of the approved plan.
• Identify optimization opportunities during campaign execution and work with Activation specialty teams to adjust tactics as needed to improve performance.
• Maintain awareness of vendor capabilities, platform innovations, and emerging opportunities that can enhance campaign performance.

Research and Insights:

• Conduct research and analysis for assigned clients, including audience insights, competitive landscape, consumer journey, market trends, and industry/category knowledge. Ensure the development of clear, actionable insights to inform and enhance the Integrated Media plan.
• Understand the agency's research tools and know how to leverage them to create strategic media plans.
• Develop points of view (POVs) and maintain a clear understanding of the evolving media landscape, emerging technologies, and other critical factors shaping the industry.

Measurement and Reporting:

• Effectively develop and manage Measurement Strategies that connect media with clear KPIs and optimized metrics to ensure success of the media campaigns.
• Create learning agendas within the measurement plan to guide insights and optimization efforts, ensuring clear hypotheses, methodologies, and timelines are established.
• The Integrated Planner will oversee and take ownership of final reporting outputs. By collaborating with activation and account teams, this role will ensure reports are maintained and insights are developed effectively

Client Relationship:

• Establish and maintain goodwill and strong working relationships with the client, including regular calls, visits and check-ins to ensure the agency is meeting their needs.
• Understand plans to the degree necessary to answer most questions. Work with teams across the agency to ensure timely signoff and feedback from client.

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.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and vendors.
• Proven ability to analyze data and market research
• 1-2 years of experience in media planning, preferably with exposure to both traditional and digital channels. Publisher/vendor, or communications discipline (digital, content) may apply.

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 4% match
• Work/life benefits, including mental health and wellbeing support
• Flexible Time Off Policy
• Paid holidays, including agency soft closing Christmas Eve-New Year's Day
• Paid leave options, including sick leave, medical leave for self and family, and parental leave