Creative Strategy Intern: Trend Research & Narratives

Smartlyio; New York (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship at $20/hour, ~30h/week

Job summary

Smartly is seeking a Creative Strategy Intern for Fall 2026 in New York. You will help identify emerging cultural trends and translate insights into strategic narratives for leading brands across social media platforms.

Work with Creative Technologists and Global Creative Services to keep brands ahead of the cultural curve. This paid internship offers hands-on experience in research, presentations, and scalable materials.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Marketing, Communications, Design, Media Studies, Technology, or a related field.
• Deeply curious about internet culture, social media, creators, and emerging trends.
• Able to turn observations into clear, meaningful insights.
• Strong storyteller with an eye for visually compelling presentations.

Responsibilities

• Research emerging trends across TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit, and other platforms.
• Develop platform- and industry-specific trend reports highlighting current and upcoming developments.
• Turn cultural insights into compelling presentations, narratives, and creative frameworks.
• Support creation of scalable materials to help multiple brands stay trend-forward.
• Conduct creative audits and identify actionable best practices.
• Curate standout content and campaign examples to inspire new ideas.
• Partner with Creative leaders to develop presentations and strategic positioning.
• Present findings or shadow key customer meetings.

Skills

Trend research

Storytelling

Presentation design

Creative collaboration

Education

Marketing or Communications (pursuing)

Design or Media Studies (pursuing)

Job description

Smartly is seeking a Creative Strategy Intern for Fall 2026 in New York. You will help identify emerging cultural trends and translate insights into strategic narratives for leading brands across social media platforms.

Work with Creative Technologists and Global Creative Services to keep brands ahead of the cultural curve. This paid internship offers hands-on experience in research, presentations, and scalable materials.