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Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.
Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
More about the role:
The Entertainment team at Burson was formed in 2020 and has been growing fast ever since. It is now made up of 25 sector specialists who live and breathe gaming, esports, music and film. It is home to some of the world’s best loved entertainment brands including Activision Blizzard, Spotify, Meta Reality Labs, LG and Bose.
We’re building a vibrant and diverse team, that delivers incredible work for amazing brands at the forefront of the entertainment space.
What you'll do;
As an Associate Director, you will be a dynamic and commercially astute thinker, creating strategic and innovative solutions for client challenges that yield exceptional results. You will offer insightful and effective counsel to clients, manage expectations, proactively address issues and ensure seamless execution of all client deliverables.
This role is a crucial one in our team with responsibility across key clients in our sector.
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
The world’s largest video games publisher, Activision Blizzard brings epic entertainment to millions of people around the world through legendary franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo and Overwatch. As Associate Director on the account you will be responsible for UK and EMEA teams across all franchises, operating as the key client contact ensuring we deliver best in class creative and execute flawless campaigns. You might be at a major streamer event one week, staffing interviews with game designers the next, then working on cultural insights for a major game launch.
SPOTIFY
Burson has been on a journey with Spotify for over 10 years, as the Swedish based DSP has moved from a streaming platform dedicated to music, to a true entertainment experience as the business has expanded into podcasts, audiobooks, video, live events, merchandise and more. We support Spotify at UK and global level across several workstreams including UK + Ire Comms, its sponsorship of FC Barcelona, Internal Comms, Advertising Comms, Audiobooks, Business Comms, thought leadership and more. The team is constantly growing and evolving and we’re on the lookout for a talented senior comms professional with a passion for music, culture and tech, who can work as a true strategic partner to our clients providing solid counsel, unmatched attention to detail and a flair for earned creativity.
To get more into your responsibilities, these will span client, commercial and people
Client:
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, enhancing client relationships and assisting clients in achieving their business and communication objectives
- Exhibit strong strategic thinking, crafting compelling narratives and multi-channel content strategies
- Lead creatives sessions internally that deliver high-quality executions
- Play an active role in business development, identifying and pursuing new opportunities
- Develop and mentor team members, providing opportunities for growth and development.
Commercial:
- Responsible for accurate client forecasting, resource planning, thoughtful management of client budgets and managing over-servicing levels.
- Drive new business growth within your sector, identifying new opportunities and taking a lead role from ideation to presentation and conversion.
- Contribute to overall sector business plans, demonstrating a perspective on new business growth and new offer
People:
- Inspire, mentor, and coach direct reports, embodying the agency's vision and fostering a collaborative culture.
- Demonstrate commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, acting as a thoughtful ally.
- Lead and deliver impactful presentations with flair.
- Enhance team capability through training, development, coaching, and mentoring, supporting the leadership team in these efforts.
Experience that contributes to success:
- Incredible client service skills, able to stay across multiple workstreams and stakeholders while adding value consistently with your counsel and leadership, based on credibility and reliability
- A passion for, and professional understanding of, the entertainment industry including gaming, music, film, the streaming economy and more. This should include remaining curious about what political and economic factors are impacting our clients and operating with great awareness
- The ability to lead teams – including account teams and specialists – to outstanding creative plans, built on audience insights, cultural understanding, and expertise in what makes for great fame-making brand activity in 2025
- Commercial acumen and financial rigour, able to create and keep track of complex budgets and monitor service levels
- A natural leader able to keep teams motivated and delivering to highest standards during busy campaign periods, feeling a sense of responsibility for your teams’ development and able to spot and deliver training and coaching needs
OUR LONDON OFFICE
Burson employs over 450 people in the UK, and our stunning Southwark offices run over two floors as part of the larger WPP Campus, Rose Court. We have access to a beautiful roof terrace with panoramic views across London and a bar/restaurant area, which is a great spot for client meetings and socialising with the wider agency and other WPP OpCo’s.
#LI-SF1
Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.
At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
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