Media Planner

Department Summary

The Media department is driven by a singular purpose: to bring big ideas to life and share them with the world. Our mission is to amplify the impact and reach of our storytelling, ensuring that it resonates with audiences on a large scale and grabs people’s attention through a creative approach to Media. We act as a bridge between the idea and the consumer, crafting a world around the narrative and strategically placing it in the sight and minds of those who will connect with it most deeply. We push the boundaries of what is possible and help build the campaigns that case studies are made of.

TLDR: Without the Media Department, great ideas go un-noticed. We are the gate-openers of outsized attention.

General Position Summary

The Media Planner is a skilled and strategic media practitioner responsible for crafting smart, culturally resonant media plans and contributing to the innovation of how our stories show up in the world. They are a student of media and a teacher to those coming up behind them. Media Planners own the tactical execution of campaigns while collaborating across departments and with external partners to push ideas into new territory. They drive details forward, keep the team organized, and continually raise the bar on what effective, creatively aligned media planning looks like.

TL;DR): You manage the tactical details on your account while bringing innovation on how we can go above and beyond the typical plan.

Major Responsibilities/Primary Functions

Planning and Execution

• Leads the development of media plans and recommendations that ladder up to client and creative goals
• Owns tracking, pacing, and performance monitoring throughout the life of a campaign
• Collaborates with the Media Supervisor and broader team to prepare estimates, finalize buys, and ensure alignment on deliverables

Innovation and Craft

• Seeks out unique and breakthrough media opportunities that go beyond traditional planning
• Writes thoughtful POVs and brings platform innovations and partnership ideas to the table
• Understands how to build media journeys that elevate creative ideas

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Guides Associate Media Planners through the foundational aspects of the job; provides support and training through day-to-day tasks
• Partners with Media Supervisor to foster a supportive and accountable team environment
• Acts as a key point of contact for specific workstreams and client deliverables

Client and Internal Collaboration

• Keeps internal and client teams informed of project status and key developments
• Works across departments (strategy, creative, analytics, production) to integrate media thinking early and often
• Communicates with media partners and manages relationships with platform reps and vendors

Measurement and Reporting

• Contributes to campaign wrap-ups and optimization strategies based on results
• Leverages both first- and third-party data to build targeting strategies and define KPIs
• Brings a curious and analytical mindset to campaign performance and ongoing improvement

Qualifications, Distinguishing Characteristics and Special Requirements

Ownership Mindset:

• Confident executor with an eye for detail and a knack for staying a step ahead
• Solution-oriented and willing to roll up sleeves to move work forward

Mentor Mentality:

• Acts as a support system for junior team members and contributes to team learning
• Patient, clear communicator who’s comfortable giving and receiving feedback

Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of media platforms and planning processes
• Fluent in Excel and experienced with campaign pacing, tracking, and reporting
• Fluent in slide design and storytelling using google slides or similar
• Clear written and verbal communicator with an ability to tell stories through numbers and ideas

Experience:

• 2+ years of experience in media planning, ideally within a creative advertising environment
• Familiarity with "self-serve" digital platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok, etc.) preferred
• This position is based in Portland, OR. Must be open to relocation if not currently living in PDX.

W+K Core Mission

"Use creativity and influence to change the world and impact culture."

Wieden+Kennedy is committed to inclusivity and anti-racism in everything we do, fostering an environment of belonging and collaboration for all. We believe that each team member makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities outlined in a job description. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the employee or the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each team member will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors and to pursue individual career growth.