Media Planner

Trakstar; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Intertrend is seeking a curious, proactive Media Planner who can translate audience insights and cultural understanding into effective cross-channel communications plans.

You will collaborate across Media, Strategy, Creative, Account, Analytics and external partners to develop campaigns that connect paid media with owned and earned opportunities, while executing, optimizing and reporting on performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in media planning, including campaign strategy, media research, and performance analysis.
• Curious and proactive; explore new media partners and opportunities.
• Strong analytical, storytelling and collaborative skills across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic, cross-channel media recommendations based on client objectives, audience insights, cultural behaviors, competitive intelligence, historical performance and syndicated research.
• Understand the roles of paid, owned and earned media and contribute media and audience perspectives to broader communication planning.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Creative and Account teams to connect media thinking with the broader campaign idea and consumer journey.
• Participate in ideation and bring forward media-led opportunities to strengthen the campaign.
• Plan execution from approval to launch, trafficking coordination, and partner communication.

Skills

Media planning

Audience insights

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Storytelling

Campaign optimization

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Intertrend is looking for a curious, proactive and analytically minded Media Planner who can help turn audience insights, cultural understanding and media opportunities into effective communications plans.

This role goes beyond building tactical media plans. The Media Planner will contribute across the planning process, from understanding audiences and identifying media opportunities to developing cross-channel recommendations, executing campaigns, optimizing performance and translating results into actionable insights.

We are looking for someone who brings ideas to the table, asks questions, explores new partners and solutions, and actively contributes to stronger work. You will collaborate with Media, Strategy, Creative, Account, Analytics and external partners to help develop campaigns that connect paid media with broader owned, earned and cultural opportunities.

This is a hands-on role with exposure to media planning, client interactions, partner meetings, custom programs, campaign execution, optimization and reporting.

REPORTING TO:

This role reports to the Associate Media Director and works closely with Media Directors and cross-functional agency teams.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Media & Communication Planning

• Develop strategic, cross-channel media recommendations based on client objectives, audience insights, cultural behaviors, competitive intelligence, historical performance and syndicated research.
• Understand the roles of paid, owned and earned media and contribute media and audience perspectives to broader communication planning.
• Recommend appropriate audiences, channels, partners, KPIs, budget allocations and activation approaches.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Creative and Account teams to connect media thinking with the broader campaign idea and consumer journey.
• Participate in ideation and actively bring forward media-led opportunities that can strengthen the campaign.

Curiosity & Innovation

• Stay curious about emerging platforms, consumer behaviors, cultural trends and changes in the media landscape.
• Proactively identify new media partners, technologies, targeting opportunities, content integrations and custom programs.
• Build relationships with media partners and bring relevant opportunities back to the broader team.
• Share trends, insights and examples that can inspire new thinking across Media and other disciplines.

Campaign Execution & Stewardship

• Manage campaign execution from plan approval through launch, including media authorizations/IOs, trafficking coordination, partner communication and campaign delivery.
• Monitor pacing, delivery and performance and proactively flag issues before they become problems.
• Work with media partners and internal teams to troubleshoot discrepancies and ensure campaigns deliver against objectives.
• Maintain accurate media budgets and oversee monthly reconciliation in partnership with Finance and Accounting.

Optimization, Insights & Storytelling

• Monitor campaign performance and identify optimization opportunities in partnership with Analytics and media partners.
• Interpret campaign data to understand what happened, why it happened and what we should do next.
• Connect insights across channels to provide a holistic view of campaign performance.
• Translate data and media performance into clear, actionable recommendations and compelling client-facing stories.
• Apply campaign learnings to future planning and optimization.

Client & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in client meetings and progressively take ownership of presenting sections of media plans, recommendations, and campaign results.
• Build productive relationships with clients, media partners and partner agencies.
• Bring a media and consumer perspective to cross-functional conversations while remaining open to perspectives from other disciplines.
• Ask questions and seek clarity when objectives, priorities, or direction are unclear rather than waiting for others to resolve them.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Minimum of 2 years of experience in media planning, including campaign strategy, media research, and performance analysis.

• Curious and proactive. You don't wait to be told everything to explore. You look for opportunities, ask questions, and bring ideas forward.
• Resourceful and solutions-oriented. When challenges arise, you investigate, propose solutions, and help move the work forward.
• Accountable. You take ownership of your work, deadlines, budgets, and campaign details.
• Analytical. You are comfortable working with data and can turn information into insights and recommendations.
• A storyteller. You can communicate not just what the numbers say, but what they mean for the client and what should happen next.
• Collaborative. You actively contribute while respecting different perspectives across Media, Strategy, Creative, Account, and Analytics.
• Nimble. You are comfortable learning new things and stepping outside a narrowly defined task list when the work requires it.

WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING AT INTERTREND:

• Work with fun, loving yet hard-working individuals! Our biggest values center on dialogue, cross-functional collaboration, curiosity, and respect.
• Got a furry friend at home that you’ll miss? Bring them to work with you! We have multiple four-legged ambassadors at our offices to welcome you both.
• We’re a multi-cultural agency focused on the Asian American community, so if you’re passionate about the latest Asian American trends, culture, and media, openly share it!
• Want to give back to the community? Intertrend is not just about making a profit; we are also here to make a difference! Join us on our various volunteering programs and opportunities. Be an agent of change!
• Like to branch out to different tasks to learn and grow? We always have projects on hand seeking volunteers; you can seek out challenges that’ll help shape you!

Pay Range

$70,000-$80,000

We recognize that every candidate brings a different combination of experience and expertise. As a result, compensation is determined individually, taking into account job-related skills, relevant experience, education, training, and other factors that contribute to success in the role.