Planning Manager – EA Games

Who are m/SIX?

m/SIX is the UK’s fastest-growing media planning and buying agency, having doubled in size in the last eighteen months to 150 people and £200m in billings. Our international network now comprises over 40 offices across 3 continents.

We have a unique proposition and ownership structure, which is fundamental to how we operate for our clients. We are majority owned by our partners within The&Partnership, but GroupM’s minority ownership means that we are able to offer a true ‘best of both worlds’ advantage. This means a progressive and entrepreneurial approach to business and culture, whilst providing full access to GroupM’s market leading pricing, data and technology assets. The&Partnership overall has a strong ethic of pitching in and getting our hands dirty, regardless of level. As such we are naturally less hierarchical and territorial than many other agency environments, particularly when it comes to working with creative teams.

As both The&Partnership and m/SIX we have therefore created new models and ways of working, which are leading the industry in defining the agency of the future. This means solutions built bespoke for clients’ individual needs, inclusive of all necessary disciplines and working to one bottom line. Creatives, strategist, analysts, investment and production teams working together, with data and technology at the centre. These teams are often implanted directly within the client marketing teams: in the UK we have fully embedded teams at News UK, Talk Talk and Toyota/Lexus. The impact of this has been transformational on our clients’ business.

The agency is designed to think audience first – to face into disruption. We use data signals to understand the flow of audiences and build communications systems that balance the need to build and convert demand. We turn real behavioural data into actionable human insight that informs all communications at both strategic & implementational levels. This means that we’re geared toward business growth, not just media growth. Our aim is always to become a valued board-level business partner of the clients we work with.

As a direct outcome of this progressive & transformational agenda, m/SIX has two ambitions. To be a top ten agency in every market in which we operate, and to be the most important place in the careers of our people.

Who is the client?

Electronic Arts Inc. aka EA is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. EA develops and delivers games, content and online services for internet-connected consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers. EA employ 9,300 people in 31 global locations across the world with approx. $4,875bn expected net revenue for fiscal 2020. EA has more than 30 million registered players around the world. EA is recognised for a portfolio for critically acclaimed, high-quality brands including: The Sims, Madden NFL, EA Sports, FIFA, Battlefield, Need for Speed and Dragon Age. Over 27 million fans have played battlefield alone this year.

EA believes the next 5 years will be more disruptive, more dynamic, and we’ll see more players come into gaming than the last 40 years combined. They strongly believe that data informs their communications strategy, it doesn’t drive, it doesn’t dictate, it doesn’t prescribe, it informs.

What is the role?

We are looking for a talented and experienced Integrated Planning Manager to join the team, working on an exciting, innovation-led account. Your role will encompass supporting the Integrated Planning Director in smooth day-to-day running of the account, market coordination, supporting strategic planning across all channels, pan-European partnerships and central media planning and buying.

You must work efficiently and proactively, playing a vital role in communicating and assisting local markets with planning and activation. You would need experience and understanding of both offline and online channels. This is a fast paced, innovative role and requires someone who can think on their feet and relishes in an ever-evolving environment.

What will be your responsibilities?

• Project manage and coordinate multiple stakeholders in respect of agreed timelines
• Ability to formulate campaign proposals and present confidently to clients
• Write and deliver presentations and explain principals of digital and offline channels to clients
• Day-to-day relationship building with clients and media owners
• Keep on top of new developments across media channels and propose when appropriate
• Developing inventive ideas to think beyond the obvious solution, creating plans worthy of award entry
• Leads by example through presence and positive contribution to client and agency meetings
• Directly manage and help with the development of the Execs on the team

Who are you?

• Solid experience gained from a media planning role with experience in media buying
• Good understanding and experience across all media channels
• The ability to talk with authority about the current and future trends, in technology and media
• Has high capability and confidence in brand building and acquisition planning.
• The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail and strives to improve current ways of working
• We are looking for a highly motivated person with a strong willingness to learn and progress; a self-starter, digital at heart with exceptional communication skills
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise across multiple demands
• Experience of working with different international markets is desirable

Where is the role based?

The EA team are part of one of our unique m/SIX embedded model teams, where we place m/Sixers to work directly with the client. The results of having client and agency working so closely together mean that the best work can happen, and our m/SIXers have a unique experience of being an agency person ‘client side’. EA Guildford is the UK HQ, home to multiple business groups, including: International Publishing, Global Marketing, Development Services (Quality Engineering & Quality Assurance), as well as a number of corporate functions and also plays host to two development studios: Criterion Games and Ghost Games.

EA’s office (Onslow House) is in the centre of Guildford, a 5-minute walk from the main train station and only minutes away from the town’s shops, restaurants and bars. Guildford is located 27 miles southwest of central London. EA Guildford is a fun and friendly place to work, with top class facilities, including an onsite gym, games areas, café and our their very own Barista. The office environment is welcoming, diverse environment with highly talented professionals in a cutting-edge industry. Although you will be based in Guildford we will expect that you regularly return to the London office for meetings and training & development.

How will success in this role be measured?

• Objectives and a development plan will be set and measurement against set professional goals
• Line manager feedback on a consistent basis
• Internal/client stakeholder review and feedback
• Becoming the clients’ go to person for operational day to day questions

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