Associate Director, Brand Marketing, World of Warcraft

📌 Core Information

- Job Title: Associate Director, Brand Marketing, World of Warcraft
- Company: Blizzard Entertainment
- Location: Irvine, CA, United States
- Job Type: On-site
- Category: Marketing
- Date Posted: April 14, 2025
- Experience Level: 6+ years

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

- Leading global marketing campaigns for World of Warcraft's expansion launches and content updates
- Crafting inspiring and cohesive external marketing campaigns that reflect the brand's essence
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain a unified brand presence across all channels
- Conducting market research to understand player behaviors and emerging trends
- Bringing the brand back to the forefront of cultural relevance

*ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and creative individual with a strong understanding of the gaming industry and World of Warcraft's brand.*

📋 Key Responsibilities

- Campaign Development & Execution: Lead the creation and execution of global marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences and drive brand engagement.
- Creative Direction: Guide the development of visuals, messaging, and content that bring the brand story to life across all platforms.
- Brand Consistency: Ensure all external communications align with the brand's voice, positioning, and strategic vision, maintaining a unified brand presence.
- Global Campaign Consistency: Collaborate with Product Marketing to support local adaptations while maintaining the core brand message.
- Budget Input: Provide input in budget discussions to advocate for necessary resources to execute effective brand campaigns.
- Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to understand player behaviors, emerging trends, and competing games' strategies.
- Cultural Relevance: Focus on bringing the brand back to the forefront of cultural relevance, ensuring campaigns resonate with the cultural zeitgeist.
- Campaign Effectiveness: Establish key performance indicators and use analytics to assess campaign effectiveness, adapting strategies as needed.

*ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of collaboration and project management, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.*

🎯 Required Qualifications

- Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
- Experience: 6+ years of experience in brand marketing, creative agency account management, or equivalent client-side position.
- Required Skills:
- Proven experience in TV, video, packaging, and online advertising
- Demonstrated experience in project management, analysis, and working across multiple teams
- Proven team leadership with people/agency management experience
- Preferred Skills:
- Advanced degrees in Marketing, Communication, or related field
- Experience in the video game industry
- Experience managing a team
- Demonstrated experience with international marketing
- Well-versed understanding of MMORPG genre and World of Warcraft
- Avid social media user with a strong understanding of emerging platforms and trends

*ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong passion for gaming and a deep understanding of the gaming industry will be most successful in this role.*

💰 Compensation & Benefits

- Salary Range: $111,960 - $207,270 Annual (Standard base pay range for new hires across all U.S. locations)
- Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
- 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
- Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
- Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs
- Relocation assistance (if required to move for the job)
- Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

*ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and location.*

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

- Industry: Entertainment Providers
- Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees
- Founded: 1991 (as Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.)
- Company Description: Activision Blizzard, Inc. is one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. They are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™. Their combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making them the largest gaming network on the planet!
- Company Specialties: Video Games, Entertainment, Consumer Products, Media, Film and TV, Gaming, and Production

📊 Role Analysis

- Career Level: Mid to Senior-level marketing role with potential for growth in brand management and leadership
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director, Brand Marketing
- Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with potential for hybrid or remote work in the future
- Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and mentor junior team members
- Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and projects
- Career progression within the brand marketing team or across other brands within the company

*ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with potential to make a significant impact on one of the world's most iconic gaming franchises.*

🌍 Location & Work Environment

- Office Type: On-site, with potential for hybrid or remote work in the future
- Office Location(s): Irvine, CA, United States
- Geographic Context: Irvine is located in Orange County, California, with a Mediterranean climate and a population of approximately 300,000. It is known for its high-quality schools, numerous parks, and a variety of cultural attractions.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with potential for flexible hours or remote work in the future

*ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.*

💼 Interview & Application Insights

- Typical Process: Phone or video screen, followed by multiple on-site or virtual interviews with key stakeholders, including the hiring manager and other team members
- Key Assessment Areas: Strategic thinking, creative direction, project management, cultural fit, and passion for the gaming industry
- Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Showcase your understanding of the gaming industry and World of Warcraft's brand
- Prepare examples of successful brand marketing campaigns you've led or contributed to

*ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess both your technical skills and cultural fit within the team and the broader organization.*

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
- Analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer)

*ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may evolve over time, as the company continues to adopt new technologies and platforms.*

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

- Company Values: Creativity, Fun, Quality, and Community
- Work Style: Collaborative, fast-paced, and innovative, with a strong focus on teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
- Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you ensure that your marketing campaigns align with the brand's voice, positioning, and strategic vision?
- How do you stay up-to-date with emerging trends in the gaming industry and adapt your strategies accordingly?
- How do you balance the need for consistency in global campaigns with the need for local adaptations to resonate with diverse audiences?

*ASSUMPTION: Candidates who are passionate about gaming, have a strong understanding of World of Warcraft's brand, and can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment will be most successful in this role.*

⚠️ Potential Challenges

- Balancing the need for global campaign consistency with the need for local adaptations
- Keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the gaming industry and evolving consumer preferences
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, often under tight timelines
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including product marketing, creative, and production teams

*ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong project management, communication, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.*

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

- Role Differentiation: This role focuses specifically on brand marketing for World of Warcraft, while similar roles may be more generalist in nature or focus on other brands within the company's portfolio.
- Industry Context: The gaming industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with new games and platforms constantly emerging. This role requires a deep understanding of the gaming industry and World of Warcraft's brand to stay ahead of the curve.
- Career Path Comparison: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with potential to progress to a director or vice president level within the brand marketing team or across other brands within the company.

*ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in brand marketing for one of the world's most iconic gaming franchises, with significant potential for growth and impact.*

📝 Sample Projects

- Developing and executing a global marketing campaign for World of Warcraft's latest expansion launch, including TV spots, digital advertising, social media content, and in-game events
- Collaborating with the product marketing team to create localized marketing materials for key territories, ensuring consistency with the core brand message
- Conducting market research to understand player behaviors and preferences, and using insights to inform campaign strategy and creative direction
- Working with the creative team to develop a cohesive visual identity for World of Warcraft's brand, ensuring consistency across all marketing channels and touchpoints

*ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of responsibilities for this role, requiring strong strategic thinking, creativity, and project management skills.*

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing strategy for World of Warcraft and the company's portfolio of games?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the brand marketing team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in marketing and brand management roles?
- What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does this role contribute to those efforts?

*ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help you better understand the role, the team, and the company's culture, ensuring a strong fit for both parties.*

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

- To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through [this link](https://careers.blizzard.com/global/en/job/R024090/Associate-Director-Brand-Marketing-World-of-Warcraft)
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful brand marketing campaigns you've led or contributed to
- Research the gaming industry and World of Warcraft's brand to demonstrate your passion and understanding
- Follow up with the hiring manager or talent acquisition team one week after submission to express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.