Hybrid Media Strategist

Company description

Are you ready to unleash your full potential?

We are seeking a talented and passionate Hybridl Media Strategist to join our team of specialists at Studio One, a Bespoke Agency for one of South Africa's most recognised automotive brands.

Overview

The hybrid media strategist is a data-driven, insights-led and creatively curious thinker who plays a critical role in shaping integrated media strategies across digital and traditional channels. This role goes beyond execution and requires strategic ownership, confident client engagement, and the ability to translate business objectives into effective, measurable media solutions.

As a hybrid strategist, you will be expected to take accountability for portions of client portfolios, contribute meaningfully to strategic thinking, and collaborate closely with specialists, planners, buyers, analytics, and creative teams. You will demonstrate growing leadership, sound judgment, and a strong desire to continuously learn and elevate the work.

Some flexibility to work outside standard hours may be required at key campaign moments.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Thinking
• Demonstrate passion, care, and strategic ownership for the brands within your portfolio
• Develop integrated hybrid media strategies across digital and offline channels aligned to business objectives and KPIs
• Translate audience, market, cultural, and data insights into clear media recommendations
• Evaluate media opportunities, new platforms, and partnerships to unlock growth
• Deliver incremental media improvements informed by post-campaign analysis, audits, and learning agendas
Planning, Execution & Delivery
• Produce media strategies, channel frameworks, and media plans aligned to approved KPIs
• Work closely with media buyers and ad operations teams to ensure smooth, accurate execution within deadlines
• Follow and uphold ad operations and taxonomy processes to ensure operational excellence
• Manage budgets carefully, mitigating risk of under- or over-spend
Measurement, Analytics & Optimisation
• Collaborate with analytics, data science, and reporting teams to deliver timely dashboards and reports
• Interpret campaign performance and translate data into clear insights and recommendations
• Contribute to post-campaign analyses, learning summaries, and optimisation direction
• Support the evolution of measurement approaches including attribution, MMM inputs, and brand lift
Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
• Work collaboratively with communications strategists, planners, buyers, creatives, and analysts
• Build strong working relationships with media owners, agency partners, and internal stakeholders
• Participate confidently in client meetings, status updates, and strategic presentations
• Resolve media-related challenges with a solution-oriented mindset
Thought Leadership & Reputation
• Contribute to case studies, award entries, and internal best-practice documentation
• Support the agency’s strategic reputation through high-quality thinking and delivery
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives, POVs, or industry learning where required

What an Average Week May Include
• Attending strategic briefings, integration sessions, and client status meetings
• Writing and presenting internal briefs across all digital disciplines, monitoring progress, directing optimisation changes, avoiding under/over-spends and providing insight to post campaign reports
• Developing and presenting media strategies and recommendations
• Reviewing audience, market, and platform insights
• Collaborating with buying, ad ops, analytics, and creative teams
• Reviewing live campaign performance and optimisation recommendations
• Supporting reporting, proof of flighting, and post-campaign reviews
• Engaging with research tools, dashboards, and planning platforms

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Marketing, Media, Communications, or a related field or relevant experience
• Relevant digital and media certifications (e.g. Google, Meta, platform fundamentals) preferred
• 5+ years’ experience in media strategy or planning, ideally within a media agency environment
• Exposure to both digital and ATL media channels
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and client portfolios

Additional information

Hard Skills
• Strong strategic and structured thinking ability
• Solid understanding of digital media channels, traditional media channels, and hybrid media planning
• Confident presentation and storytelling skills
• Strong numerical, analytical, and data interpretation capability
• Effective project management and organisational skills
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel; comfortable working with dashboards and media tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
Soft Skills & Behaviours
• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn
• Open to feedback and continuous improvement
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and able to work without ego
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates accountability, ownership, and growing leadership
• Able to self-manage while contributing positively to team outcomes
Success in This Role Looks Like
• High-quality, insight-led media strategies that deliver measurable business impact
• Strong collaboration across disciplines and teams
• Confident client engagement and trusted day-to-day relationships
• Continuous improvement of planning, execution, and measurement standards
• Contribution to the agency’s strategic reputation and culture