Category Strategy Manager

This role is an exciting opportunity to join a leading global entertainment and media company, partnering with Aquent to drive innovation in the advertising landscape. You'll be at the forefront of shaping how advertisers connect with audiences across a vast array of captivating content. If you're passionate about data-driven strategies, the future of streaming, and making a tangible impact on ad sales revenue, this is your chance to contribute significantly to a dynamic and evolving industry.

As a key member of the Category Strategy team, you will be instrumental in developing sophisticated category and client strategies that directly fuel ad sales revenue within a specific advertising vertical. Your work will ensure the advertising sales organization remains strategically positioned to achieve long-term goals and effectively meet client business needs. This is a chance to leverage your expertise in a role that offers significant influence and visibility.

**What You'll Do:**

* Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Research, Client/Marketing Solutions, Data & Measurement Solutions, Sales, and Sales Communications to craft compelling category narratives and go-to-market presentations.
* Partner with the Category Strategy Director to unearth insights that support strategies aimed at enhancing the value proposition of the advertising sales organization in the marketplace.
* Focus on advancing data-driven solutions, automation, and audience-based buying to redefine how clients engage with audiences.
* Proactively develop and create impactful selling stories for category-relevant properties and platforms within the portfolio, aligning with key business segment priorities.
* Deeply understand assigned categories from both a business and media perspective, including overall business trends, consumer media trends, industry measurement solutions, and competitive landscape analysis, with a specific focus on media spending.

**Must-Have Qualifications:**

* 3 years of experience in advertising, media, and/or marketing, with a strong preference for experience within a relevant advertising category.
* Media experience gained at an agency, client-side, or in a sales development/strategy role at a media company.
* Proven expertise in multi-platform media planning, buying, strategy, and measurement, with a robust background in addressable and data-driven solutions.
* Experience utilizing R/F tools such as Nielsen Media Impact.
* Functional experience with media tools like Nielsen NPower, Comscore, and social listening platforms.
* Working knowledge of cross-platform effectiveness and attribution vendors for measuring brand lift, sales lift, app downloads, engagement, and attention.
* A self-starter mentality, demonstrating initiative and the ability to navigate complex situations without constant direction.
* Strong multitasking capabilities and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment characterized by tight deadlines and continuous change.
* Team-oriented approach, with experience collaborating effectively across a matrixed organization.
* Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
* Strong presentation skills, with the capability to present effectively to both internal and external partners.
* A passion for the entertainment and media industry, its content, and the advertising landscape.
* Experience with one or more of the following: Connected TV, Digital Video, or a heavily Streaming-focused environment, coupled with a strong measurement background.
* Experience working at leading streaming platforms, digital video companies, or major ad-tech firms focused on connected TV and digital advertising.
* A strong focus on digital and streaming media, rather than traditional linear networks or print.
* Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.

**Nice-to-Have Qualifications:**

* 5 years of experience in advertising, media, and/or marketing, particularly within the given category.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.
Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!
Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.