Media Planner - Temp

At GSD&M, we’re on a mission to build First & Only brands, meaning the first to do it and the only ones who can. We’re able to do this because we set a high bar for ourselves and our work. We care about what we put out in the world. We’re humans who like other humans. Our ideas make a difference. Shift culture. Create a smile. Inspire change. Initiate belly laughs. Deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves. We grow. We learn. We get better. We do it all over again. Because that’s what it takes to build and be First & Only.

Temp/Freelance Role through 11/30/25 – Potential for Full-Time

Media Planner

• Department: Media
• Reports to (Position): Media Director, Planning
• Supervisory Responsibilities (Y/N): No
• FLSA Status (Exempt vs. Non-Exempt): Exempt
• Travel (%): 0-5%

Job Summary

GSD&M is searching for a Media Planner who will translate overarching media strategies into detailed media plan recommendations, potentially across multiple client teams. They report to a Media Director where they receive mentorship, guidance, and direction to plan and execute media campaigns which help build their client’s business.  

They assist their supervisor in the planning and execution of more complex campaigns and initiatives in order to grow their skillsets and gain experience in new areas.  Planners are able to learn quickly and draw upon their knowledge of communication channels such as digital, print, broadcast, and out of home to aid in the day to day needs of their clients. They are learning how to think strategically, by looking at trends, competitive, client goals and objectives, and by having a good understanding of the strategic business insights and creative idea.  In addition, Planners are expected to possess strong organizational skills and be effective multi-taskers. 

Planners work closely with other departments in the agency to ensure that communication is in constant flow and that all responsible parties are coordinating to meet the needs of our clients.  Planners will regularly attend internal training sessions as well as meetings with external partners in order to build their knowledge base and establish a more comprehensive understanding of the overall media landscape.  They are also regularly responsible for maintaining client documents, meeting strict deadlines, and the training of other support staff. 

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years of Media Planning experience

Skills and Capabilities

• Media Research and Planning
  • Media Planning
    • Media Planners should have a working knowledge of digital, print, broadcast, and out-of-home media with proficiency in one or more channels.  Growth opportunities with ongoing mentorship will be available to increase their omnichannel proficiency.
    • Media Planners collaborate with their supervisors and other team members to analyze the campaign target, develop campaign strategy, conduct an RFP process, build media plan recommendations and present to stakeholders. Upon client approval, Planner collaborates with the appropriate disciplines to secure, execute, and report on media campaigns.  
    • They are responsible for the day-to-day oversight of these campaigns and create support elements such as flowcharts, budget summaries, media plan summaries, buy specs, status reports, etc. 
    • Writing point of view (POV) papers to help evaluate opportunities for the client is often a regular planning function.  Media Planners should be able to have conversations with media partners to understand an opportunity, use the media resources available to them to evaluate the opportunity, and write up an informative yet concise POV for their client.

• • Media Research
    • The Media Planner should have a working knowledge of several syndicated tools to assist their decisions when building and analyzing a particular audience, their mindset and their consumption habits. Several systems with regular use in the department include MRI/Simmons, Scarborough, Helixa, comScore, eMarketer, Claritas 360 and OMNI.  
    • Media Planners will leverage competitive tracking research to identify key opportunities for their client, either on an ongoing basis or in support of a media recommendation.
• Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Interdepartmental
    • Media Planners should be able to work with their fellow teams across the media department in order to share information, answer questions, and to execute best practices.  Establishing collaborative and productive working relationships with investment teams is important to the successful execution of media strategies and delivery of campaign goals.
  • Interagency
    • Media Planners should represent the media department and be able to contribute when multiple departments collaborate for campaign planning and day to day account maintenance.  They should be able to build and maintain strong working relationships across departments to ensure the effective flow of communication. 
• Speaking Up
  • Media Partner Meetings
    • Media Planners help represent their accounts to media partners, with the goal of building effective working relationships and identifying the best opportunities for their client. They should be ready to ask questions relevant to their account(s) during media partner capability presentations and be able to clearly communicate the goals of the client and/or specific campaigns and provide the information necessary for partners to craft media proposals.  
  • Client Presentations
    • It is important for Media Planners to be able to communicate with their client and build relationships based on trust and mutual respect.  There is no better way to do this than to contribute during client presentations.
• Training
  • Personal
    • Media Planners should always be looking for ways to expand their marketplace knowledge via the attendance of classes held here at the agency, seminars, vendor meetings, reading trade materials, etc.
    • Curiosity and the desire to learn and do more is a necessity 

At GSD&M, inclusion is our superpower.  An inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are encouraged and empowered makes the work better, makes our agency better and ultimately makes the industry better. That’s why we’re proud to be recognized by the Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Awards year after year for our efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

We consider ourselves lucky. Every day we wake up and get to build First & Only brands in an inclusive environment where everyone matters, all while enjoying generous benefits, plenty of time off, and opportunities for growth whether you’re just starting out or have been in the biz for a while.

GSD&M is an equal opportunities employer and will never favor or discriminate against anyone based on their age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, gender identity, expression, or realignment.  If you require a medical or religious accommodation during the job application process, please reach out to keisha.townsend@gsdm.com for support. 

This role requires regular in-office presence with a minimum of three days per week, to engage and collaborate in in-person team interactions and meetings as required.