Companies in this catalog do not charge applicants. Never send money to apply.
Mediassociates is seeking an activation-forward Associate Media Director to lead direct digital investment across a diverse client roster. This role owns direct IO placements with vendors and publishers, from custom publisher content and high-impact units to CTV and streaming audio. The ideal candidate pairs deep partner knowledge with disciplined execution and serves as the channel's escalation point for clients, partners and internal teams.
Key Responsibilities
Lead direct digital activation (direct IO) across CTV and streaming video, streaming audio, and high-impact display and video
Serve as a client-facing subject matter expert on direct digital, leading the channel’s portion of client calls and presentations
Scope custom content and complex publisher partnerships, including sponsored articles, podcasts and high-impact executions, from evaluation and briefs through editorial timelines, approvals and launch
Determine whether a placement is best bought direct IO or programmatically, partnering with the programmatic team to choose the right path for each objective
Evaluate partner proposals and RFP responses; negotiate rates, added value, flat-fee packages and IO terms
Oversee trafficking, tagging and QA, ensuring accurate setup across ad server and publisher reporting
Monitor daily delivery and weekly pacing; drive optimizations and secure make-goods as needed
Own billing reconciliation, resolving discrepancies between publisher first-party data and third-party measurement
Translate delivery and performance data into clear insights and recommendations for account teams and clients
Identify and test emerging formats, partners and measurement approaches, and bring innovation recommendations to clients and internal teams
Mentor and train team members, including those transitioning from linear buying backgrounds
Champion the direct digital channel internally, build repeatable process, and support new business efforts
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
7 to 10 years of agency media experience, with substantial hands-on direct IO buying
Proven experience overseeing activation across a variety of client categories
Deep working knowledge of CTV and streaming video, streaming audio, and high-impact formats
Working knowledge of programmatic buying, enough to judge when a placement should run direct IO versus programmatic
Strong negotiation skills and established relationships with premium publishers and streaming partners
Working knowledge of DCM, verification partners (IAS, DoubleVerify) and Mediaocean (Prisma) or similar buying platforms
Experience leading pacing, reporting and billing reconciliation across a high volume of placements
Experience leading accounts, presenting to clients, and managing junior team members
Track record of testing new formats, partners or measurement approaches
Familiarity with how publisher content surfaces in AI-driven search is a plus
Strong analytical, presentation, and organizational skills
Comfort managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, independent agency environment
Work Arrangement and Benefits
Mediassociates currently employs individuals who reside in the following states: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. Candidates must reside in one of these states at the time of hire and remain in an approved work location throughout their employment.
Employees designated as local to our Sandy Hook (Newtown), Connecticut office work a hybrid schedule and are expected to work in the office two days per week. Our office provides opportunities for in-person collaboration, connection, and team building—and even offers a beautiful waterfall and stream just outside our front door.
Employees designated as remote must be available to work during our core business hours of 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Remote employees may be asked to travel to our Connecticut office or other locations for company events, team meetings, client meetings, training, or other business needs. Our remote team members are currently invited to our Connecticut office at least twice each year for our Summer and Holiday events.
Work arrangements are determined by Mediassociates based on the employee's work location, position, and business needs.
Benefits
Mediassociates offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with company match; paid time off and paid holidays; and company paid life and disability insurance.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mediassociates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
