Culture, Trends & Content Specialist

About Ogilvy

Ogilvy has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

As the Culture, Trends & Content Specialist for Studio X, you will be the strategic brain and champion for exceptional social engagement, spearheading TCCC’s shift to an 'always-on, creator-led, and culturally agile' model across Africa. You will serve as the agency's lead expert on TikTok and emerging cultural platforms, proactively identifying and translating burgeoning trends into brand-safe, platform-native content opportunities. Your role is crucial in informing strategic recommendations, developing creator-led playbooks, and elevating the entire social team's capability to react swiftly and authentically to cultural moments.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the agency's lead expert on TikTok and emerging cultural platforms, maintaining a deep understanding of algorithms, ad products, user behaviour, and the creator ecosystem to inform all strategic recommendations for TCCC brands.

• Proactively identify, analyse, and report on emerging cultural trends, sounds, memes, and content formats relevant to TCCC brands, providing actionable intelligence to internal teams before trends reach peak saturation.

• Develop and disseminate strategic playbooks that translate cultural trends into clear, actionable creative opportunities and brand-safe activation plans for community management and creative teams.

• Collaborate with creator-led partners to inform the recruitment and vetting strategy for the TCCC Ambassador Programme ("The League"), identifying authentic, up-and-coming creators who align with brand values.

• Lead internal education and upskilling initiatives, establishing and enforcing best practices for platform-native content creation and engagement.

• Act as a thought leader to elevate the entire social team's capability on key cultural platforms and creator-led content strategies.

• Contribute to rapid response efforts and content ideation based on trending topics, ensuring TCCC brands can capitalise on unplanned real-time moments.

• Lead the activation of the planned real-time content calendar and enable unplanned real-time engagement via the Real-Time Amplification Pod, leveraging the ambassador network.

• Ensure rigorous governance and brand safety for all external creator content, from strategic briefing to multi-tiered approval and ongoing training.

Experience Requirements:

• 5-8+ years of specialised experience in cultural trend analysis, creator ecosystem management, and platform-native content strategy, with a strong focus on TikTok and emerging social media platforms.

• Proven expertise in identifying, analysing, and translating cultural trends into actionable creative briefs and strategies for large brands, preferably within FMCG.

• Deep understanding of social media algorithms, content formats, audience behaviours, and the nuances of internet culture across diverse African markets.

• Extensive experience in developing and implementing creator-led content strategies and managing ambassador/influencer programmes.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and disseminate strategic playbooks and conduct internal training sessions to elevate team capabilities.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of acting as a thought leader and educating both internal teams and clients on complex cultural insights.

• Proven ability to work effectively and proactively within an integrated agency team, collaborating across creative, community management, and analytics functions.

• Exceptional foresight and ability to anticipate platform changes and emerging content opportunities.

• Familiarity with brand safety protocols, legal guidelines, and governance in the context of user-generated and creator-led content.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, making rapid, informed decisions regarding cultural moments and content activation.

At Ogilvy, our people are at the heart of what we do: a creative agency that sparks game-changing ideas across culture and business through collaboration, integrity, and a celebration of self-expression.

We believe in building powerful teams with purpose - and we relentlessly curate transformative initiatives that make our commitment to fairness, and equity a reality.

Our ultimate mission is to leave a positive impact on the world, creating a better future for all, while supporting and uplifting the global communities we serve. This is central to our mantra of Borderless Creativity.

Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this contact is only for candidates who are requesting accommodation. Emails for other purposes, including application status requests, will not receive a response.