The following are the responsibilities and duties of the Strategist.  This is not an all-inclusive list and will vary by account assignment.

Role

The Strategist provides the client with the most effective media plan recommendation to insure that the client’s goals are met.  He/she must be the day-to-day steward on assigned brands. The Strategist is required to develop and maintain an intimate knowledge of their clients’ business and ensure that all client media requirements are executed in a timely and accurate manner.

Management:

n        Guide the Assistant Strategist through the fundamentals of the planning process. Delegate (maintenance) responsibilities and check work.

Media Strategy:

n        Insights

–        Participate in Checkmate strategic planning philosophy

–        Seek a consumer-centric view in all strategic thinking

n        Ideas

–        Provide point-of-view on various media in the marketplace

–        Participate in brainstorming sessions

–        Create media plan recommendations and alternatives

–        Select media vehicles and determine scheduling

–        Investigate creative, innovative approaches to strategically reach the target consumer

–        Analyze competitive activity in the marketplace

n        Results

–        Execute the media plan

–        Generate tactical alternatives based on client needs and requests

–        Measure media performance to determine the extent to which the original objectives and strategies were met

Maintenance:

n        Respond to the flow of client media-related issues.  Be aware of the need to create solutions and resolve problems

n        Ensure a good working relationship with account and client teams to facilitate flawless execution of plans

n        Study demographic data and consumer profiles to identify desired target audiences

n        Gather data

n        Handle any client requests – i.e. plan changes, budget changes, provide marketplace information

n        Meet with media sales reps and industry representatives on a regular basis to pursue ideas that are strategically aligned with the client’s business

Media Expertise:

n        Attend internal and external meetings and presentations

n        Keep abreast of industry trends through advertising and media trade journals

Competencies

Knowledge/Expertise

n        Knowledge of the principles of advertising, marketing and media.  A basic knowledge of disciplines underlying these principles, i.e., psychology, economics, journalism

n        Interest in the dynamics of media - how each media element performs alone, how they perform together and how they are constantly changing

n        Interest in the client’s industry and environment within which he operates

Skills/Abilities

n        Analytical thinking

–        Competency in mathematical concepts

n        Teamwork

–        Ability to work as part of a team

–        Ability to teach and delegate work to the Assistant Strategist

–        Prioritization skills (multi-tasking)

n        Technical Skills

–        Exhibit proficiency with MicroSoft Office

–        Ability to use Brainbox tools and software

n        Problem Solving

–        Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed, and sometimes involved, written or oral instructions

–        Ability to formulate solutions to media problems

n        Verbal/Written Communication skills

–        Ability to write clearly and concisely

–        Ability to effectively and comfortably communicate and interact with clients and vendors