Account Director - Comms Planning

The Client

Mars Wrigley is the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolate (including Snickers, Galaxy, and M&Ms), chewing gum (Extra), mints, and fruity confections (Skittles).

EssenceMediacom has worked with Mars for many years in many key markets and we have a very strong relationship with them – we work very closely not just with the Mars Communication & Marketing teams in Europe but across their total business. One of Mars’ key pillars is ‘Mutuality’ which is reflected in the way they work with us as an agency partner.

We are incredibly proud of the work we have done with Mars in driving growth for their brands and this has been recognised with a host of awards - including Media Week, Campaign, and Cannes. We believe these awards are a testament to how closely we work with Mars and our integrated approach, both within EssenceMediacom and working in partnership with other agencies.

Mars is embarking upon a transformation of their communications, moving away from their legacy model of mass-reach broadcast-led marketing. Future growth will be driven through a sophisticated understanding of audiences, their growth potential, and the ability of content and communications to target audiences at different stages of their consumer journey with relevant messaging in service of driving outcomes.

The Role

As an audience planning director you’ll be at the heart of Mars Wrigley’s evolution to intelligent reach on Mars. Under the legacy model we built systems which reached and engaged fragmented category audiences. Under the new model, we construct category reach through targeting cohorts and moments using addressable media.

The role combines skills found in comms planning and digital planning, with key areas of focus & responsibility being:

• Deep understanding of Mars brands and business
• Analyse source of growth data to understand commercial opportunities and headroom
• Analyse survey data and cultural insights to understand audience behaviours & opportunities
• Analyse biddable platform data, to size audience cohorts, interests & moments, that can be targeted using addressable media
• Share market insight & intelligence with regional teams to inform regional briefs and strategic development
• Develop & execute local activation strategy and channel plans across offline and biddable channels

What we think are 3 best things about the job

• Incredible brands – Mars Wrigley is home to some of the world's most iconic and beloved brands, such as M&M's, Snickers, Extra, Skittles, and more. As a media planner, you’ll have the chance to work with these household names and develop creative and impactful media strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Collaborative – We work really closely with our regional and global counterparts, leveraging the power of the global EssenceMediacom network, meaning you’ll be exposed to some of the best thinking from across the business, and get to effect real change through your campaign planning.
• Variety – With such a diverse range of brands, no two campaigns are ever the same on Mars, and you’ll have the opportunity to stake real ownership across the planning process, injecting your own personality into all the work you do.

Who are you?

The ideal candidate for this role on the Mars Wrigley account would likely possess a combination of the following qualities and skills:

• Analytical Thinking: Being able to analyze data and derive insights is crucial across our account.
• Creativity: Breakthrough planning often requires innovative thinking to develop campaigns that stand out in a crowded marketplace. A creative mindset is key to crafting unique and engaging media strategies.
• Attention to Detail: Media planning involves managing budgets, schedules, and a myriad of other details. Precision and thoroughness are important to ensure that campaigns are executed flawlessly.
• Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is key, both for internal collaboration with our team and for articulating campaign strategies and results to clients.
• Organizational Skills: Managing multiple campaigns and deadlines requires excellent organizational abilities to keep projects on track and launching on time.
• Team Player: The candidate should be able to work collaboratively with different departments and external partners, contributing positively to our team dynamic.
• Passion for Media and Marketing: A genuine interest in media, advertising, and staying ahead of industry trends to drive engagement and innovation in the role.

What we can offer you

• Company pension scheme
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days holiday (increases with length of service)
• Life assurance
• Permanent health insurance
• WPP share options scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Free eyecare vouchers and money off glasses
• Extensive training and development
• Corporate gym memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest free travel loan
• Free breakfast (cereal and fruit)
• Smart shopper (online discount on a variety of products)

Sounds good? We’d love to hear from you!

About EssenceMediacom

We are a global communications agency leading with breakthrough thinking, building explosive growth for brands, and helping our clients see the bigger picture. Our daring global network of 10,000 influencers help our clients breach traditional boundaries in media, uncover novel ideas, and unleash exponential growth. EssenceMediacom challenges conventional thinking to build, propel, and supercharge our clients’ businesses at scale and lead our industry in critical areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.

EssenceMediacom understands that our people are tasked with big goals: building breakthrough growth for brands and leading with breakthrough thinking in our industry. Our people are at the heart of this work because their ideas will enable us to decode the intersections of people, content, and technology to bring our aspirations to life. Our success is down to our eclectic, diverse, and talented people. EssenceMediacom is a place for us to grow our careers and expand our horizons. EssenceMediacom is committed to building an agency culture that supports our people, puts diversity at the forefront of our operations, and creates opportunity for all. This collective culture will be our “new power” where ideas are freely exchanged, and collaboration is actively encouraged in a place where you can innovate in our hyperconnected world.

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