Associate Director, Media Activation

WPP Media • Los Angeles, CA

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About The Position

The Associate Director, Media Activation leads the strategic development, activation, and optimization of cross-channel biddable media programs, with an emphasis on Programmatic and YouTube and support for Paid Social and other digital channels. The role connects day-to-day activation with broader media strategy and planning, providing leadership across campaign execution, performance, and client recommendations. It contributes to integrated media strategies, optimization and innovation, and operational excellence, while mentoring team members and collaborating across media, analytics, strategy, and creative disciplines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in biddable media activation, with a strong background in Programmatic and YouTube advertising.
• Hands-on experience with The Trade Desk (TTD), DV360, and Google Ads/YouTube.
• Strong understanding of programmatic buying, campaign optimization, audience targeting, measurement, and performance reporting.
• Experience balancing hands-on campaign activation with strategic planning and team leadership.
• Significant client-facing experience, including presenting performance insights and strategic recommendations.
• Prior experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience across additional Paid Social platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, Reddit, and X.
• Agency experience is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting entertainment, theatrical, or film marketing campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Programmatic and YouTube strategies while supporting integrated Paid Social and broader biddable media initiatives.
• Oversee campaign activation across Programmatic Display, Video, CTV, YouTube, Paid Social, and other emerging digital channels.
• Provide strategic recommendations, performance insights, and proactive optimization opportunities to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Connect day-to-day activation with broader media planning and strategy to align campaigns with client business objectives.
• Partner with analytics and measurement teams to establish KPIs, evaluate campaign performance, and turn findings into actionable recommendations.
• Identify testing and innovation opportunities in audience targeting, platform capabilities, automation, and emerging advertising technologies.
• Oversee campaign execution, pacing, optimization, quality assurance, and budget management.
• Guide junior team members, troubleshoot campaigns, and help maintain activation best practices.
• Collaborate with media partners, ad technology platforms, publishers, and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and improve campaign performance.
• Develop and implement best practices and processes to improve campaign effectiveness and team productivity.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with strategy, investment, analytics, and creative teams.
• Mentor and develop team members through coaching, technical guidance, and leadership.
• Keep senior leadership informed about client opportunities, performance trends, potential risks, and strategic recommendations.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package; details are available at the provided benefits website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director