📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Strategist
🔹 Company: Dentsu
🔹 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, On-site
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-20
🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Connecting creative, content, and communication strategies
- Conducting research to uncover trends and insights
- Collaborating with an integrated team to bring brand and communication strategies to life
- Working with major global and Canadian brands
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of consumer behavior, cultural trends, and brand strategy. It's ideal for a creative thinker with excellent research and communication skills.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Research and synthesize consumer behaviors, cultural trends, competition, and industry trends into challenges and insights
✅ Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to build integrated communication plans
✅ Work closely with the Strategy Director to weave insights into a simple, impactful, and emotive brand story
✅ Proactively share key learnings with the department and agency
✅ Challenge the status quo and hate clichés and norms
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of independent research, collaboration, and presenting findings to stakeholders. Strong communication and critical thinking skills are essential.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field
Experience: 1+ years of agency experience working in a strategy department or related function
Required Skills:
- Strong verbal and written communication and data presentation skills
- Ability to think critically about content and synthesize information
- Ability to effectively balance high quality with strict deadlines
- Team working and collaborative attitude
- Self-motivation and a problem-solving attitude
- Innate curiosity and aptitude to learn
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with brand strategy and consumer insights
- Fluency in French or other languages
ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 60,000 - 70,000 per year
Benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- RRSP
- Paid Time Off
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for entry-level brand strategist roles in Toronto.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Dentsu is a global advertising and marketing services company, operating in the highly competitive and dynamic advertising industry.
Company Size: Dentsu has over 10,000 employees worldwide, providing a large network of resources and opportunities for professional growth.
Founded: Dentsu was founded in 1901 and has since grown into a global leader in its industry.
Company Description:
- Dentsu is a creative network designed for what's next, helping brands predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities
- The company connects brand, content, commerce, and experience, underpinned by modern creativity
- Dentsu teams together to help brands thrive in the sustainable economy
Company Specialties:
- Marketing communications
- Advertising
- Media planning and buying
- People-Based Marketing
- Creative
- Innovation
- Data and Technology
Company Website: Dentsu.com
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's large size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level, with opportunities for growth
Reporting Structure: The Brand Strategist reports directly to the Strategy Director
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with a standard workweek of 40 hours
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to Senior Brand Strategist or similar roles
- Expansion into related fields, such as account management or creative strategy
- Potential international assignments or transfers
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the strategy department and the broader agency.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space
Office Location(s): Toronto, ON, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant arts and culture scene
- The city offers a high cost of living but also high earning potential
- Toronto is a major hub for the advertising and marketing industries
Work Schedule: Standard full-time workweek, with potential for flexible hours or remote work for specific projects
ASSUMPTION: The Toronto office provides a dynamic and creative work environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and networking.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Strategy Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Research and analytical skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural awareness and understanding of consumer behavior
- Alignment with Dentsu's company values and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your brand strategy and consumer insights work
- Research Dentsu's clients and industry trends to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
ATS Keywords: Brand strategy, consumer insights, market research, trend analysis, communication planning, interdisciplinary collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your research, communication, and cultural awareness skills, as well as your fit with Dentsu's company culture.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Research and data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Tableau)
- Presentation software (e.g., Prezi, Keynote)
ASSUMPTION: The Brand Strategist will use a combination of Microsoft and Google Workspace tools for day-to-day tasks, as well as specialized research and presentation software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Sustainability
Work Style:
- Creative and strategic thinking
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Proactive and self-motivated
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with cultural trends and consumer behavior?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you challenged the status quo in your work?
- How do you balance quality and efficiency in your work, especially when faced with tight deadlines?
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu values candidates who are innovative, collaborative, and adaptable, with a strong work ethic and a passion for staying current with industry trends.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-changing advertising industry
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, each with their own priorities and expectations
- Adapting to a large, global organization with a complex structure
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong time management, communication, and adaptability skills, as well as a willingness to learn and grow within the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Brand Strategist vs. Market Research Analyst: Brand Strategists focus more on synthesizing research data into actionable insights and brand strategies, while Market Research Analysts focus on data collection and analysis.
- Brand Strategist vs. Account Executive: Brand Strategists specialize in brand strategy and consumer insights, while Account Executives manage client relationships and oversee the execution of marketing campaigns.
- Career path: Brand Strategists can progress to Senior Brand Strategist, Brand Director, or transition into related fields such as account management or creative strategy.
ASSUMPTION: While Brand Strategists share some responsibilities with related roles, their primary focus is on developing and implementing brand strategies based on consumer insights and market trends.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conducting a comprehensive brand audit for a major retail client, identifying opportunities for brand differentiation and growth
- Developing a consumer segmentation study for a leading CPG brand, informing targeted marketing campaigns and product innovation
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to create a brand activation campaign for a global technology client, launching a new product in multiple markets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and collaborative nature of the Brand Strategist role at Dentsu.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the strategy department?
- How does Dentsu support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of working on global brand campaigns?
- How does Dentsu foster a culture of innovation and collaboration?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, team dynamics, and company culture, enabling you to make an informed decision about the opportunity.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, including specific examples of brand strategy and consumer insights work
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your brand strategy and consumer insights work, if applicable
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submission, inquiring about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
