Planner: Integrated Strategist

Company Description
Strategy and Planning at Publicis West Africa is about contributing every day to creative work that leaves a mark on culture. We are a collection of broad-brained thinkers from a diverse array of backgrounds who come together to serve the shared agency mission of creating the most written about, talked about, and effective work in West Africa. To do that, it really boils down to two things:

• Making the work better
• Changing how people (clients, creative, consumers) think
  

By partnering with resources across the department and throughout the agency, Strategy plays a crucial role in the development, creation and execution of bold creative ideas. We search, find, distill, second-guess and turn information into unexpected insights for ourselves, our brands and our teams. It’s not just about delivering briefs, decks and disappearing – Strategy’s job is to take ownership of the thinking and ideas as much as anyone else in the agency to do whatever it takes to help make them better.
Overview
The Integrated strategis is a fact-finder, question-asker and all-around storyteller that assists the Strategy team in uncovering cultural insights through primary research, secondary research, a steady handle on digital first culture. They put the pieces together from disparate information, ask a ton of smart questions and find the things that others can’t see. They dive deep, get immersed and leave no stone unturned. Their inexhaustible curiosity serves up information, insights and inspiration on a consistent basis, making them an essential part of the strategic thinking, creative process and culture of Publicis West Africa.
Core Competencies

• Curious, resourceful, and excited to dig in.
• Impeccable love for everything digital and social
• Multi-tasker who can hold several thoughts in their brain simultaneously
• Willing to jump in and assist wherever needed
• Self-starter who can take a project and run with it with minimal oversight
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Fearless – willing to take a risk with an idea to uncover something unexpected
  

Responsibilities
The integrated planner should be able to accomplish the majority of the following tasks:
Research & Insights

• Gather information based on secondary research and desk research to assist in around Culture, Consumers, Category and Brand.
• Dive into client data, research and briefs to outline opportunities for further
• Manage the details and scheduling of primary research projects, including initial scope meetings and official launch meetings to kick off the project.
• Develop and present strategy decks, translating insights into clear, compelling recommendations for internal teams and clients.
• Maintain status and meeting notes on assigned team projects. Report high-level progress to the Planning Lead each week.
• Contribute to the insights for creative briefs and assist with briefing decks
• Assist with recruitment for research projects as needed.
  

Business & Brand Strategy

• Monitor cultural and social trends that affect our client’s businesses, helping to uncover truths and opportunities.
• Create quarterly reports on specific audiences, competitors, platforms and business trends.
• Work with Digital team to monitor brand conversations.
• Learn tools and frameworks for brand positioning, communications strategies and campaign evolution.
  

Communications Planning & Integration

• Provide analysis on new platforms, innovative brand campaigns and cutting edge technologies to inspire creative teams.
• Develop best practices for calls-to-action and ensure consistency across campaign elements.
• Work with Media & Analytics team to dive into data and find interesting stories to tell about brand, business or consumer.
  

Skill Building Opportunities

• Development of research tools and methodologies
• Creative Brief writing
• Deck writing
• Development of creative exercises
• Cultural Analysis
• Strategic thinking
• Brand strategy tools & frameworks
• Communications planning tools
  

Growth Expectations

• It is expected that within two years as an Integrated Strategist you will have developed the instincts, mastered the basic tools and begun showing the independence it takes to get to the next level.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of strategy and planning principles across traditional, digital, and integrated channels.
• Solid knowledge of social media, digital ecosystems, and emerging platforms, with the ability to translate trends into effective communication strategies.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite – Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  

Additional Information
Additional Requirements

• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Attend industry events and conferences to network and expand knowledge.
• Advanced knowledge of data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, PowerBI) is beneficial.
• Highly organized with a keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional initiative and follow-through skills.

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