Integrated Strategist

Company Description

Strategy and Planning at Publicis West Africa is dedicated to producing creative work that significantly impacts culture. We are a diverse group of thinkers from various backgrounds united by the agency's mission to create impactful and effective work in West Africa. Our focus is on enhancing creative output and influencing perceptions among clients, creatives, and consumers. By collaborating across departments, Strategy plays a vital role in developing and executing bold creative ideas. We transform information into unique insights for our teams and brands, taking ownership of the thinking and ideas to ensure their improvement.

Overview

The Integrated Strategist acts as a researcher, questioner, and storyteller, supporting the Strategy team in uncovering cultural insights through primary and secondary research, with a strong grasp of digital culture. This role involves synthesizing information from various sources, asking insightful questions, and identifying hidden opportunities. The strategist will immerse themselves in projects, leaving no stone unturned. Their continuous curiosity will provide information, insights, and inspiration, making them integral to the strategic thinking, creative process, and overall culture at Publicis West Africa.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates curiosity, resourcefulness, and a proactive approach to tasks.
• Possesses a strong passion for digital and social media.
• Capable of managing multiple thoughts and projects concurrently.
• Willing to provide support wherever needed.
• A self-starter who can independently manage and advance projects.
• Exhibits strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Fearless in proposing innovative ideas and taking calculated risks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct secondary and desk research to gather information on culture, consumers, categories, and brands.
• Analyze client data, research, and briefs to identify areas for further exploration.
• Manage the logistics and scheduling of primary research projects, including scope and kickoff meetings.
• Develop and present strategy decks, translating insights into actionable recommendations for internal teams and clients.
• Maintain project status updates and meeting notes, reporting key progress to the Planning Lead weekly.
• Contribute insights for creative briefs and assist in briefing deck preparation.
• Support recruitment for research projects as required.
• Monitor cultural and social trends impacting client businesses to identify truths and opportunities.
• Produce quarterly reports on specific audiences, competitors, platforms, and business trends.
• Collaborate with the Digital team to track brand conversations.
• Learn and apply tools and frameworks for brand positioning, communication strategies, and campaign development.
• Analyze new platforms, innovative campaigns, and emerging technologies to inspire creative teams.
• Establish best practices for calls-to-action and ensure campaign consistency.
• Partner with the Media & Analytics team to extract insights from data regarding brands, businesses, or consumers.

Skill Building Opportunities

• Development of research tools and methodologies.
• Creative brief writing.
• Deck writing and presentation.
• Facilitation of creative exercises.
• Cultural analysis.
• Strategic thinking development.
• Application of brand strategy tools and frameworks.
• Utilization of communication planning tools.

Growth Expectations

Within two years, Integrated Strategists are expected to develop strong instincts, master essential tools, and demonstrate the independence required for career advancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proficiency in strategy and planning principles across traditional, digital, and integrated channels.
• Comprehensive understanding of social media, digital ecosystems, and new platforms, with the ability to translate trends into effective strategies.
• Capacity to perform under pressure and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Additional Information

Candidates are expected to stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Attending industry events and conferences for networking and knowledge expansion is encouraged. Advanced proficiency in data analysis tools like Excel and PowerBI is advantageous. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and strong initiative with effective follow-through.