Sr. Context Planner

Who We Are

We are a well-established independent agency and thriving music business, built to help ambitious brands harness the power of culture to solve their biggest challenges. As a unique mix of experts in culture, technology, and storytelling, we are united by a passion to grow brands in ways that advertising alone can never do.

We are an entrepreneurial business – not a traditional “ad agency.” That means we value resourcefulness and tenacity just as much as we value creativity and intelligence. In 2022, Translation was awarded the number three spot in Ad Age’s Agency A-List and AdWeek’s Multicultural Agency of the Year. One year before, Translation was awarded Ad Age’s Small Agency of the Year. We’re unapologetically ambitious, but we’re also a tight-knit crew.

We are looking for a Senior Context Planner to join Translation! Please note that this role is a Hybrid role: three days in office and two days remote.

Summary

The Senior Context Planner is a client facing asset and is in charge of integrated go-to-market planning that incites audience participation. It’s your responsibility to gain an in-depth understanding of the people, passions, and platforms that matter most to the audience, and to rethink media in new ways to help our brand partners communicate through the places, spaces, times and people that our audience will be most receptive to. This role requires a hybrid mind– one who can think creatively one second and shift to business-defining strategy the next.

What You'll Do

Cultural Insights

Lead refined Culture Compass development with light oversight, translating audience networks, rituals, artifacts and language into a comprehensive creative briefing.
Partner with stratpack on “Get Smart” research; identify ownable cultural moments and i cacontribute insights to Flash Forecast.
Comms Planning

Craft and lead Comms Frameworks, Campaign Ecosystem and Phasing Strategies
Translate creative platforms into a cohesive go-to-market plan that defines where, when, with whom and why the brand should show up.
Campaign casting

Synthesize best practices across the talent x brand landscape into clear POVs
Develop talent filters and casting recommendations for creators, artists and partners who credibly bring the idea to life.
Creative world-building

Ensure a narrative throughline across touchpoints, partnering with creatives on social-first formats and non-traditional tactics that invite participation.
Develop organic amplification strategies for earned media and UGC
Bring the story to life through “Outcomes” assets and pitch theater.
Collaboration & Communication

Build trust through clear and persuasive presentations
Collaborate across departments including strategy, creative, business leadership and production, including risk assessments, case studies and awards.
Mentor associate and mid level Context Planners, delegating clearly and providing feedback that strengthens their craft.
Actively connect with the UnitedMasters team for an understanding of upcoming milestones and priority artists for casting consideration in Translation brand campaigns.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comfortable working quickly and independently, owning deliverables with light oversight and adapting as priorities shift.
Able to form and defend a clear POV, using cultural insights and research to make actionable recommendations.
Strong comms planning instincts, connecting audience behavior, brand opportunity and campaign choreography.
Sharp information design and visual taste: build strong decks, shape a clear story and make complex ideas simple and actionable.
Cultural fluency across sports, music, entertainment and pop culture, including their intersections with creators, fandom, fashion, gaming and internet behavior.
A social-first thinker with a strong creative eye for how ideas work in-feed and an instinct for emerging behaviors and formats.
Strong collaborator across disciplines, receptive to feedback and confident presenting to internal teams and clients.
Resourceful in research, curious about new platforms and media opportunities, and committed to refining the work.
Minimum Qualifications

Possess excellent time management, organization and prioritization skills.
Have the proven ability to work under tight deadlines and handle pressure, while consistently paying attention to accuracy and quality of work.
Exercise the ability to quickly and effectively adapt to changing needs and expectations.
Preferred Qualifications

Minimum 4-7 years experience in a strategic position in an agency or brand environment
4-year college degree in Marketing, Advertising or Business preferred.
Digitally savvy; MUST be proficient in Google Suite and Keynote (Mac preferred).