Copywriter

VML South Africa; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive benefits

Job summary

VML, a WPP agency in Detroit, is seeking a Retail Copywriter for the Retail Team to craft automotive retail copy and collaborate with art directors and account teams.

The role requires a robust portfolio, deadline discipline, and the ability to mix strategy with execution across brands. This position offers hybrid work, competitive benefits, and a path to influence consumer experience.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, English or writing emphasis preferred.
• Portfolio showcasing conceptual skills.
• One-plus years of experience in an agency setting, solid creative writing skills and a digital landscape expertise.
• Proficiency with Microsoft, Adobe Creative Suites.
• Demonstrated business acumen, ability to be a team player, establish an information hierarchy, work independently under guidance from Creative Director and other senior team members.

Skills

Conceptual copywriting

Creative writing

Brand storytelling

Portfolio presentation

Digital landscape knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in English or writing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suites

Job description

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor's degree, English or writing emphasis preferred
• Portfolio showcasing conceptual skills
• One-plus years of experience in an agency setting, solid creative writing skills and a digital landscape expertise
• Proficiency with Microsoft, Adobe Creative Suites
• Demonstrated business acumen, ability to be a team player, establish an information hierarchy, work independently under guidance from Creative Director and other senior team members

CORE SKILLS

A conceptual copywriter for the Retail Team must possess an essential set of core skills that distinguish themselves for the unique needs of Automotive Retail copywriting. An overview follows:

IDEATOR

Most certainly, a skilled iterator is needed. One that can work quickly and efficiently under duress of deadlines. One that can also pivot ideation on request under extreme time-constraints [before & after regular business hours]. Strategic direction can quickly change, and is often subjected to market conditions, and global/current events.

PERSISTENCE/STAYING POWER

As a result, the Retail Copywriter must possess staying power: the ability to keep digging in the well for ideas and solutions to any ever-changing directions. The Retail Writer must have the fortitude to remain committed to the project for the long haul...to endure not only unexpected direction changes, but multiple expected "tweaks & revisions" from the multiple layers of internal agency & client reviews.

ADAPTABILITY

No doubt, being skilled in adapting to the situation at hand, is needed, almost as much as work that can be shared with clients. For automotive retail copywriting is not just about the big idea. It's also about the ability to create desire through the description and portrayal of features & benefits. And it's most certainly often about creating a sense of urgency and a call to action.

MULTI-TASKER

Indeed, these multiple writing skills are held to a premium, because they are relied upon and leveraged day-in, and day-out. For the Retail Copywriter must also be skilled in multi-tasking several assignments at once, and often, with pressing & overlapping deadlines (each with their own unique requirements). Deadline management skills are as much needed day-to-day, as the ability to deliver useful ideas.

FOCUS & CLARITY OF PURPOSE

Similarly, information needed may be incomplete, incomprehensible, or both. Knowing what information you need, is just as important a skill as knowing what information you don’t need. Clarity of purpose & intent breeds efficiency...most useful in the Retail Creative Team where creativity is on demand and always under duress of deadlines.

ARTICULATE & SUCCINCT

Sharing ideas is an everyday part of the job. The ability to succinctly articulate the how-what-why of an idea is a skill and quality that every Retail Copywriter should possess. Whether conveying ideas to your Art Director, Manager, Agency Colleagues or even Clients, the Retail Writer's ability to sell the work is just as important as the ability of the actual idea itself to sell the consumer. And given the existence of multi-layered approval gauntlets [internal & client], the ability to be clear, concise, and articulate in conveying ideas is both useful and appreciated.

RETAIL COPYWRITER SKILLSETS

• Quick-to-Concept & Script
• Ideator
• Perform under Deadline
• Organized
• Buttoned-Up
• Information Assimilator
• Multi-Tasker
• Articulate & Succinct
• Concepting to budget
• Persistence & Staying Power
• Adaptability
• Purpose & Focus
• Work-Smart
• Articulate & Succinct
• Cut through Clutter
• Brand, product and legal guideline compliance

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. $45,000-$90,000 USD. We offer a competitive benefits package. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.