Intern, Brand

ZN001 Zeno US; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Headspace subscription

Be Kind to Your Mind program

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Zeno Group is seeking a Brand Intern in Chicago to help shape consumer brands through research, media relations, and engaging content. You’ll work with account teams to support campaigns, events and social storytelling, gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic agency environment.

You will develop foundational communications skills, contribute ideas, and collaborate across disciplines while learning how integrated brand campaigns come to life and how culture informs strategy.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in public relations, brand communications, marketing, media or related fields.
• Curiosity about consumer behavior, culture and trends shaping how brands connect with audiences.
• Strong writing and communication skills with an interest in storytelling and content development.
• Strong research and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a collaborative environment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to learn, ask questions and contribute ideas.

Responsibilities

• Brand Research & Cultural Insights: Conduct research on brands, competitors, consumer behaviors and cultural trends to support client programs, strategic planning and new business opportunities.
• Media Relations & Storytelling: Support earned media efforts by researching journalists, developing media lists, monitoring coverage and assisting with outreach. Help draft materials including pitches, press releases, fact sheets and briefing documents.
• Content & Social Media: Contribute to social media and digital content development, helping teams identify relevant trends, develop ideas and create engaging brand communications.
• Campaigns & Brand Experiences: Support integrated campaigns, events and brand activations by coordinating logistics, working with vendors and assisting with on-site execution as needed.
• Client & Team Support: Partner with account teams to support client deliverables, maintain project materials and help keep programs organized and moving forward.
• Professional Development & Collaboration: Participate in brainstorms, team meetings and learning opportunities while building skills across brand communications, media relations and integrated marketing.

Skills

Brand research

Strong writing

Strong communication

Strong research

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description: Intern, Brand

you love following consumer trends, discovering what captures people's attention and seeing how brands show up in culture? Are you curious about how storytelling, media and creative ideas help brands connect with audiences? As a Brand Intern at Zeno, you will support integrated communications programs for leading consumer brands across a variety of industries. Working alongside account teams and communications specialists, you will contribute to research, media relations, content development, events and social media while gaining hands‑on experience in an agency environment. This internship is an opportunity to build foundational communications skills, learn how integrated brand campaigns come to life and contribute ideas to meaningful client work.

• Brand Research & Cultural Insights: Conduct research on brands, competitors, consumer behaviors and cultural trends to support client programs, strategic planning and new business opportunities.
• Media Relations & Storytelling: Support earned media efforts by researching journalists, developing media lists, monitoring coverage and assisting with outreach. Help draft materials including pitches, press releases, fact sheets and briefing documents.
• Content & Social Media: Contribute to social media and digital content development, helping teams identify relevant trends, develop ideas and create engaging brand communications.
• Campaigns & Brand Experiences: Support integrated campaigns, events and brand activations by coordinating logistics, working with vendors and assisting with on‑site execution as needed.
• Client & Team Support: Partner with account teams to support client deliverables, maintain project materials and help keep programs organized and moving forward.
• Professional Development & Collaboration: Participate in brainstorms, team meetings and learning opportunities while building skills across brand communications, media relations and integrated marketing.

About You:

• Strong interest in public relations, brand communications, marketing, media or related fields.
• Curiosity about consumer behavior, culture and the trends shaping how brands connect with audiences.
• Strong writing and communication skills with an interest in storytelling and content development.
• Strong research and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a collaborative environment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to learn, ask questions and contribute ideas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in pop culture and current events.
• Interest in consumer brands, entertainment, lifestyle, food and beverage or other culturally relevant industries.

Pay Rate: $18.00 USD/yr. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue‑based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region‑specific benefits. Level 01 An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue‑based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region‑specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

• Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness.
• Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance.
• We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long‑term disability.
• Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best‑in‑class employee assistance program.
• Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support.
• And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self‑care time.
• Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach.
• And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy.
• These and other benefits are available to non‑temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job‑related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.

We are a rapidly‑growing agency that provides opportunities to learn, develop skills and collaborate with colleagues at all levels across our global network. Ask us about Zeno’s Day of Play, Zeno Gives Back (our global day of service), Fearless University, office happy hours and more. We are always looking for diverse talent who can bring great energy to our teams and our business.

Zeno is the place where careers are built and lives are lived.

A Fiercely Independent Agency Zeno is an award‑winning, global integrated communications agency, born from PR, operating across North America, Europe and Asia. Zeno is – and always will be – for everyone. We are committed to fostering a global, diverse workforce where all employees feel valued, included and empowered. What sets Zeno apart is the people who comprise the agency – the unique perspectives, the varied worldviews and the impactful empathy – who are dedicated to driving positive change. To support our diverse workforce, we created safe‑space communities to connect with others who share similar backgrounds, experiences, identities, etc. These resources include: Black Voices, Zin Miedo (Latinx), PRide at Zeno (LGBTQ+), Asian‑cy (Asian and Pacific Islander), Zeno Village (working parents), Freshmen Homeroom (Intern, AAE, AE) and Healthy Minds (mental wellbeing). To reinforce our commitments to DE&I and take action against systemic racism, Zeno launched ‘Act Together’ in 2020. The initiative is reflective of our shared responsibility to undertake the hard work that brings about real, positive outcomes within Zeno and the broader communications industry. The strengthened infrastructure and resources we put in place ensures DE&I effectively informs everything we do. Act Together remains central to who we are and how we show up with the goal of lasting change. We will not waver in prioritizing this important work.