WPP Media | Associate Director (EM), Japan

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.

We have been building the world's most valuable brands for 50 years and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

For more information, visit WPP.com.

About WPP Media

WPP Media is the world’s largest media investment company and are a part of WPP. In fact, we are responsible for one in every three ads you see globally.

The Role Objective

The Planner is primarily responsible for consistent excellent plan recommendations for the brands in their categories and delivering high quality, fully integrated plan executions & operational excellence. The Planner has a good understanding of the category & brand challenges, turns business objectives into communications objectives and defines clear KPI’s for each brief.

Responsibilities

Media Research & Analysis:

• Conduct research on target audiences, media channels, and industry trends.

• Analyze media data and performance reports to identify insights and opportunities.

• Assist in the development of competitive analyses.

Media Planning & Execution:

• Forge and develop solid working relationship with the internal team at EssenceMediacom and GroupM, developing multi-channel plans and responses to client briefs with the other colleagues/teams

• Demonstrate an understanding of the media and technology developments that influence performance planning and clients’ business.

• Be an advocate of continuous improvement, enthusiastic and positive with a “Can Do” attitude Flags up any serious performance issues immediately and seek help to manage them accordingly.

• Support senior media planners in developing media plans and strategies.

• Assist in the preparation of media proposals and presentations.

• Help with the execution of media buys across various channels (e.g., digital, social, print, broadcast, publishers).

• Deliver best practice day to day project management.

• Collaborates closely with buying/implementation teams within the company as to maintain a campaigns delivery throughout the year within agreed KPI’s (e.g. reach objectives)

• Contributes to client profitability based on operational efficiency as well as recognizing & developing opportunities to grow out of scope services (like Insights) and related revenues

Reporting & Administration:

• Assist in the preparation of media performance reports.

• Maintain accurate records of media buys and campaign performance.

• Process invoices and reconcile media billing.

• Assist with administrative tasks as needed.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with internal, regional and global teams (e.g., creative, account management) to ensure alignment on media strategies.

• Communicate effectively with media vendors and internal stakeholders.

• Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions.

Key Performance Indicators

• Product: outstanding plan execution & operational excellence. KPI TBC

• Client: satisfaction, retention and growth, contributing to a high score for strategy and activation planning in agency evaluation. KPI TRR score

• Personal development: positive My360 feedback from manager, peers and clients.

Education, skills, and behaviors

• 7+ years of experience on in a similar or related role

• Ideally Degree educated in a business, numerical or analytical degree e.g. economics, mathematics, statistics, or engineering.

• Numerate and analytical

• Bilingual preferred; Japanese and English; with fluency in one language and basic / business communication skills in the other.

• PC literate (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

• Strong target orientation e.g. very results driven, ability to work effectively to targets

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP 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.

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