Chicago Casting Calls & Acting Auditions

As part of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division, Disney Advertising Sales is responsible for advertising sales and integrated marketing for The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment and sports offerings through linear, digital, social, audio and ad-supported streaming businesses.

Client Connect is the strategic solutions (integrated marketing) team within Disney Advertising Sales, charged with leading the client response & developing client-first sponsorship & marketing solutions across streaming, entertainment, and multi-cultural properties – both single-property and cross-portfolio – to drive & maximize revenue. The team is organized by ad category, with Manager positions available within the following verticals:

• Performance Marketing Vertical (DTC brands) – This role is based in NYC or LA and reports into the Executive Director, Client Connect.

• Retail Vertical – This role is based in NYC, LA, or Chicago and reports into the Senior Manager, Client Connect.

As a member of Client Connect, you will join a thriving team that serves as the primary contact for the Disney Advertising Sales teams. Client Connect is responsible for the pre-sell process, and is dedicated to building world-class sponsorship, marketing & media solutions, while driving revenue for Disney.

The Manager, Client Connect role will work with many different departments across the Disney ecosystem to develop smart, strategic solutions across ABC, ESPN, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX, and more! The right person for this role is both a creative AND strategic thinker, a self-starter that is comfortable wearing many hats – shifting from various disciplines of marketing during the course of a day. If you are a storyteller who is motivated to push the development of innovative product, marketing, and content solutions for brands, then this is a great role for you

Responsibilities:

Field incoming proactive & reactive RFP/RFI requests & lead the development & creation of market-leading proposals

• Create client-facing pitch materials that clearly communicate the overarching platform concept, the creative ideas, Disney’s value proposition, and Disney’s capabilities in supporting the client’s objectives – leveraging data and insights where applicable

• Present information in a cohesive, organized manner, leveraging Disney design aesthetics

• Build timelines to illustrate how these opportunities extend over time, if applicable

• Infuse category/vertical knowledge whenever appropriate

Attend client meetings/calls with Sales to help pitch & sell-thru proposed sponsorship & marketing solutions

• Present opportunities in an engaging, thoughtful manner

• Grow relationships with clients and agency partners to build trust & learn their business

Build & maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Entertainment, Sports, Local, Disney CreativeWorks, Multicultural & Inclusion solutions teams, Sales, Licensing, Corporate Alliances, Revenue Yield Management, and more.

• Work together as a strategic partner with these stakeholders to brainstorm & develop overall strategy and custom opportunities for the assigned category/vertical

• Act as a project manager (confirming delivery dates/timelines) to secure information & input needed from other teams to create proposals and manage sell-thru process

• Provide clear direction and communicate strategy to stakeholders

• Ensure that projects are completed according to deadlines

Requirements:

• 5+ years of marketing, sponsorship, promotion, branded entertainment, and/or media experience at a network, cable, promotional/media agency or entertainment studio.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to translate verbal ideas into written & visual presentations.

• Highly organized, with expertise in project management/execution with minimal supervision.

• Proven multi-tasking and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working cross-functionally within an organization.

• Aptitude for interpreting business strategies and identifying opportunities/trends.

• Self-motivated, positive attitude with problem-solving skills and a kind yet assertive nature

• Fully proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Keynote, Google Docs/Sheets

• Fully proficient with deck creation through PowerPoint and Keynote.

• Experience with specific category/vertical is a plus.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience