Associate Media Director

Associate Media Director - (455)Share this job as a link in your status update to LinkedIn.Job TitleAssociate Media DirectorBusiness TitleAssociate Media DirectorEducationHigh School / GEDLocationDowntown Dallas (MEDG) - Dallas, TX 75201 US (Primary)Salary GradeJob TypeFull-TimeExemption TypeExemptTravelSome TravelJob DescriptionMedium Giant is Hearst Newspapers’ integrated creative marketing agency — a fusion of storytelling, strategy, and scale. We combine the reach and rigor of Hearst’s audience intelligence and media ecosystem with the resonance of Medium Giant’s modern, agile approach to brand storytelling. Together, we deliver storytelling at scale — connecting brands to audiences through data-driven, insight-led creative that performs.Job SummaryThe Associate Media Director, Integrated Planning, leads the strategic development and execution of integrated media campaigns that promote statewide travel and tourism, while supporting cross-industry clients in the retail, healthcare, education, and lifestyle sectors. This role combines destination marketing expertise with a comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior across various categories.As a senior member of the media team, you’ll oversee cross-channel strategy, guide planners and buyers, and partner closely with account, creative, and analytics leads to deliver campaigns that connect audiences with brands and experiences. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of integrated media planning, the traveler decision journey, and the dynamics that drive consumer engagement across industries.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Media PlanningLead the development of integrated media strategies across digital (display, video, paid social, search, programmatic, CTV/OTT) channels, travel-endemic categories and traditional (TV, radio, print, outdoor).Translate client goals—spanning tourism, retail, healthcare, and lifestyle brands—into audience-driven media strategies that drive awareness, consideration, and action.For tourism clients, design campaigns that align with seasonal visitation objectives and highlight state destinations, attractions, and experiences.For other verticals, adapt audience insights and channel mix to meet conversion, engagement, or brand objectives.Leverage market, syndicated 3rd party media consumption, and competitive data to guide planning and optimize media investments.Present media recommendations, insights, and campaign results to clients and internal stakeholders.Mentor a team of media planners and buyers, fostering collaboration, curiosity, and strategic thinking.Collaborate with account, creative, and analytics teams to ensure media, messaging, and measurement are integrated and results-driven. This will include partnering with outside agencies and playing well in the sandbox.Serve as a senior liaison to clients and vendors, maintaining trust, communication, and proactive planning across accounts.Manage workflow, resources, and quality assurance across multiple campaigns and client categories.Media Buying Oversight & OptimizationOversee vendor negotiations and media partnerships to secure competitive pricing and added value across all platforms.Ensure excellence in campaign execution, trafficking, and reporting across channels.Monitor campaign performance and recommend data-driven optimizations that enhance efficiency and impact.Stay ahead of emerging media trends and technologies—especially those shaping travel inspiration, healthcare awareness, and lifestyle consumer engagement.Measurement, Reporting & InsightsEstablish KPIs and measurement frameworks aligned with each client’s business goals.Work closely with our head of Analytics to drive measurable outcomes.Oversee performance reporting for your clients, ensuring actionable insights and clear storytelling of campaign results.Deliver post-buy analyses that highlight ROI, effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.Collaborate with internal and external analytics teams to interpret multi-channel attribution, audience engagement, and tourism impact data.Partnership & Industry EngagementBuild strong relationships with key media vendors, publishers, tourism partners, and industry representatives.Represent the agency and clients at media presentations, conferences, and tourism industry events.Identify and evaluate sponsorships, collaborations, and content partnerships relevant to each client’s category.Stay informed about industry shifts across travel, retail, healthcare, and lifestyle markets.Job RequirementsEducation & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.7–10 years of experience in integrated media planning and buying across both digital platforms and traditional channels.Proven success leading integrated campaigns for travel and tourism clients; experience with retail, healthcare, and lifestyle brands strongly preferred.Agency experience managing large, multi-channel accounts and teams required.Experience with public-sector, tourism boards, or destination marketing organizations (DMOs) is a plus.Deep understanding of audience segmentation, consumer behavior, and full-funnel marketing across industries.Strategic, data-driven thinker with strong presentation and client-facing communication skills.Experienced leader with the ability to manage, mentor, and inspire a cross-functional media team.Strong negotiation and vendor relationship management skills.Proficiency with media tools such as Bionic, MediaOcean, Strata, MRI.Working knowledge of Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, and DSP platforms.Ability to interpret data, extract insights, and make actionable recommendations.Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to fast-paced, multi-client environments.Passion for travel and tourism, with curiosity for emerging trends in retail, healthcare, and lifestyle marketing. #J-18808-Ljbffr