Initiative - Associate Digital Activation (Programmatic)

Position Summary

The role of an Associate, Digital Activation is to be responsible and accountable for managing the plan development & set up of programmatic, biddable media campaigns and be the main hands-on-keyboard, in console. You are solution-oriented and able to work collaboratively with audience strategy, communications design and data & technology teams. The successful candidate will have demonstrated knowledge of and strong interest in digital marketing & analytics, including an understanding of ad networks, ad exchanges, DSP/ SSPs or auction marketplaces, ad servers and data management platforms & ad verification solutions.

Key Responsibilities

CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT & IMPLEMENTATION

· Reporting to Associate Director, Digital Activation (Team Lead), be accountable for the executional strategy of digital campaigns, such as determining bid strategy, implementing audience list and leveraging historical insights to inform implementation

· Execute & maintain oversight on all aspects of digital campaign management processes campaign strategy; audience list set-up, tagging recommendations; console setup; delivery management (pacing, budget, spend); analysis, reporting and billing reconciliation

· Be the subject matter expert on emerging and proven digital media buying & optimization

· strategies and brand safety practices

· Manage and adapt communication with internal & external stakeholders to ensure they are kept up to date on the progress of tasks and digital campaigns results

· Maintain a direct relationship with Digital Vendors, DSP and DMP providers to understand the opportunities and limitations of implementing digital media buying programs

· Be accountable for shaping and driving assigned tasks to completion

· Ensure relevant tracking is implemented

DATA STEWARDSHIP & TECHNOLOGY

· Generate & analyze reports to ensure visibility into where ads are appearing as well as

· implement automated reports that tracks campaign performance and support the development of new metrics

· Perform campaign analysis to assist with KPI setting and campaign benchmarks, optimizing and providing budget allocation guidance

· Turn large amounts of segmentation data into actionable insights using tools like data onboarding platforms and DMPs

· Maintain relationships with digital media vendors & technology providers to understand emerging opportunities and algorithm changes that could impact campaign outputs

· Become an expert in the use and best practices for multiple programmatic platforms, offering insights on how to improve campaign effectiveness through deep use of data and platforms functionality

· Ensure that data sources (e.g. remarketing lists, 1st party data) and technologies (custom

· bidding) connect properly as well as perform maintenance on these integrations when needed

· Ensure that data management and sharing conform to privacy and security requirements

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Ensure that improvements or changes to campaigns align to and deliver a consistent brand &positive user ad experience where possible

· Proactively ensure that governance practices are followed when executing digital media buys

· When required provide full transparency into buy decisions

· Exhibit an in-depth knowledge of the digital media industry and real-time media market dynamics

RISK MANAGEMENT

· Implement best practices/follow policies and procedures to safeguard proprietary & 3rd party data

· Maintain up to date knowledge and implement brand safety and suitability guidelines, mitigating unfavourable adjacencies for the brand • Use a multi-layered approach to monitoring and safeguarding data to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, use or disclosure of data

· Follow incident protocols in the event of a data breach

· Ability to meet regulatory requirements when using/storing client data sources

Qualifications

· Entry-level to associate experience in digital media management with a leading advertising agency, publisher, advertising exchange or optimization firm

· Knowledge of digital buying best practices including programmatic marketing and strong familiarity with self-serve buying platforms (ie. DV360, Amazon DSP, Verizon DSP) would give leverage to this application.

· Exceptionally organized self-starter who can work independently, execute quickly and move to the next task

· Ability to work collaboratively, move quickly and proactively for campaign success in a deadline-driven environment

· Office suite fluency, including MS Excel pivot tables & Google Sheets

· Communication skills (verbal & written); ability to provide concise, clear reporting and actionable analysis

· Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions based on data

· Proven ability to self-check work to ensure results are error-free

· Ability to plan, organize and work on multiple tasks simultaneously

· Curious and passionate for continuous development with keenness to learn new platforms and technology.

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow. Initiative builds Fame and Flow for brands like Amazon, RBC, LEGO, Nintendo and Canada Goose. Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability. Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 9,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world. Initiative Canada has received many of the industry’s most coveted awards, including two gold Strategy Media Agency of the Year awards, eight Cannes Lions, and a position on WARC's Top 50 Most Effective Media Agencies in the World. In 2023 Initiative was named the North American Network of the Year by the Festival of Media, and Global Network of the Year by both Ad Age and Ad Week. To learn more, visit initiative.com.

What's in it for you?
• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.
• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.
• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.
• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.
• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

Initiative is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to [email protected]