Senior Copywriter

Overview

We have a simple belief — Unexpected Works. It means that the best idea is the one you never saw coming. The thing that catches you so off guard that you can‘t look away. And the only path to genuinely unexpected works is through creativity. Not just what passes for creativity because it answers a brief, looks the part and helps everyone sleep at night. But creativity that is foreign, surprising and interesting enough to cause jaws to drop and sales to soar. It’s having the fresh perspective and raw energy to bring something into the world that no one’s ever seen before. We’re talking about the courage to shake things up and maybe even tear a few things down. And knowing that what most would call the finish line is where the real work starts. We believe in people, product, and profit, in that order. For us, people always come first. They’re the soul of our agency. It takes amazing folks to make amazing work. That’s why we make sure everyone who comes through the door is as great as the people who are already here. It’s also why we constantly strive to build diverse teams where everyone brings something unique to the table. Because you can’t make the unexpected if you only work with the usual suspects. By bringing together diverse thinkers with different backgrounds and perspectives, we validate Bill Bernbach’s notion that an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it. So, come be part of the magic. 

Senior Copywriters bring both experience and expertise to the creative process.  They work with other Copywriters and Art Directors to conceive, develop and produce effective advertisements.  Together they provide creative execution on a client’s project.  Senior Copywriters have developed, with time awareness of all forms of marketing and media and they are charged with writing persuasive copy in a variety of tones and styles to a wide array of target audiences.  Over time Senior Copywriters have built a solid reputation for consistently delivering world-class creative business communications, particular in their writing skills.  Senior Copywriters are expecting to work independently and to mentor more junior talent on the team.  They have developed excellent relationships throughout the agency based on their skills, knowledge and behavior. 

Responsibilities

Creativity  

• Works with the Client Service and Strategic Planning teams regarding marketing and creative strategies for brand concepts, providing insight and challenging the brief as appropriate in order to raise the agency’s creative offering 
• Collaborates with other creative staff to share learning and experience and to establish initiatives that will improve the creative product 
• Generates and develops concepts and ideas, which meet the requirements of the brief as well as the client’s-branding standards that are of a consistently high standard 
• Ensures the proper placement, context and meaning of every word as well as the overall message within a creative assignment 
• Establishes tone, character, and messages that will effectively communicate with the target audience and fulfill the project objectives 
• Is able to prepare a range integrated copy from development of headlines and editorial copy to scripts for audio / video recordings, quizzes, questionnaires, brochures, posters, POS material, and navigational button names 
• Understands and accepts the need to amend, revise or redevelop campaigns in response to feedback from the creative director or clients 
• Participates in (and may lead) brainstorming sessions 

Productivity 

• Works closely with the Creative Director on key campaigns generating ideas and discussing progress with the creative director before making presentations to clients 
• Understands the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date timesheets 
• Ensures all work is done to agreed deadlines and within budget often monitoring the progress of more junior staff 
• Multi-tasks, working on several campaigns at once, under pressure and on tight deadlines 
• Seeks approvals from creative management on all work before delivery to Accounts and / or the Client 
• Is involved in the production process including casting, dealing with production companies and directors, as well as work with typographers, designers and printers 
• Assists in developing presentation materials for business development projects 

Knowledge & Skills 

• Possesses excellent written and presentation skills 
• Is able to sell a creative idea passionately and persuasively ensuring its link to the brief 
• Is able to explain supporting rationale for all work 
• Keeps up-to-date with popular culture and trends 

Relationships / Communications 

• Attends and participates in client presentations or pitch presentations to support the creative rationale behind the agency’s work sometimes on behalf of the Creative Director 
• Acts as liaison with production companies, photographers, typographers, designers and printers 
• Represents, when required, senior creative management at agency meetings as well as with clients 
• Partners with Account, Media, Project Management and Technical counterparts to enhance quality, productivity, and profitability of the group’s work 
• Meets the account management team to discuss client requirements and product background 

Leadership 

• Mentors more junior talent on the creative team sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise 
• Works well in a team, has developed a reputation for cooperation and teamwork 
• Supports creative management on the identification and development of all agency staff 
• Contributes to overall office morale, spirit, character and work quality 

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of copywriting experience 
• Experience across a variety of communications channels and business categories 
• Copywriting for social, digital, TV
• Beauty experience a plus

DDB is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and to review all of our job postings to minimize biased language. DDB New York does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law.