📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager, Media Planning
🔹 Company: Dentsu
🔹 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: June 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the development and execution of integrated media strategies
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners
- Optimizing media spend and performance across channels
- Managing budgets and vendor relationships
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities to succeed.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead Media Strategy Development: Design and implement integrated media plans that align with brand and campaign objectives, leveraging consumer insights and market data.
✅ Oversee Campaign Execution and Optimization: Manage end-to-end media activation across channels, ensuring timely delivery, performance tracking, and continuous optimization.
✅ Budget and Vendor Management: Allocate and monitor media budgets effectively, negotiate with media partners, and ensure cost efficiency and value delivery.
✅ Cross-Functional Collaboration and Reporting: Work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, and deliver clear, actionable performance reports and insights.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on execution, and stakeholder management, requiring a well-rounded skill set.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
Experience: At least 6 years of hands-on experience in media planning, preferably in a fast-paced agency environment. Experience managing FMCG clients or accounts is a strong plus.
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in media strategy development and execution
- Strong analytical skills and data-driven mindset
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners
- Fluency in English
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with media planning tools and platforms
- Familiarity with the Malaysian media landscape
- Bilingual or multilingual skills
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in media planning, excellent analytical skills, and strong communication abilities will excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a Manager, Media Planning role in Kuala Lumpur, the estimated salary range is RM 120,000 - RM 180,000 per annum.
Benefits:
- Flexible hybrid working arrangement
- Volunteer leave and One Day for Change event
- Three wellness days off per year
- Career development and learning opportunities
- Recognition awards and net-zero commitment
Working Hours: Full-time, with standard office hours and flexibility for hybrid work arrangement.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Dentsu operates in the advertising services industry, providing integrated growth and transformation solutions for global brands.
Company Size: Dentsu is a large organization with approximately 68,000 employees worldwide, offering extensive resources and growth opportunities.
Founded: 1901, with a rich history and established global presence.
Company Description:
- Dentsu is a global leader in integrated growth and transformation, driving sustainable solutions and innovation for influential brands.
- The company operates in approximately 120 countries with a team of approximately 68,000 employees.
- Dentsu's network includes world-class brands such as Carat, Dentsu Creative, dentsu X, iProspect, and Merkle.
Company Specialties:
- Media planning and buying
- Creative services
- Digital marketing
- Data analytics and insights
Company Website: dentsu.com
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's large size and global presence offer extensive resources and growth opportunities for employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the manager level, overseeing media planning activities and leading a team.
Reporting Structure: The Manager, Media Planning will report directly to the Head of Media or a similar role within the agency.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site work at the Kuala Lumpur office with remote work options.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to senior management or leadership roles within the agency
- Expanding expertise in related areas, such as digital media or data analytics
- International assignments or secondments within the global Dentsu network
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential within the organization, given Dentsu's global presence and diverse service offerings.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Kuala Lumpur's Wisma Guocoland.
Office Location(s): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Geographic Context:
- Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant, multicultural city with a cost of living index of 133 (compared to New York at 100)
- The city offers a mix of traditional and modern attractions, with a strong focus on food, culture, and shopping
- Kuala Lumpur has a tropical rainforest climate, with high temperatures and humidity year-round
Work Schedule: Standard office hours with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement, allowing for some remote work.
ASSUMPTION: Kuala Lumpur offers a dynamic work environment with a mix of cultural experiences and a tropical climate.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with the agency's leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Media planning expertise and strategic thinking
- Analytical skills and data-driven mindset
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and team dynamics
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant media planning experience and achievements
- Prepare examples of successful media campaigns you've led or contributed to
- Research Dentsu's global presence and the Carat brand to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
ATS Keywords: Media strategy, campaign execution, budget management, vendor management, data analysis, performance optimization, cross-functional collaboration, client management, FMCG, advertising services
ASSUMPTION: Dentsu's application process focuses on assessing candidates' media planning expertise, analytical skills, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media planning and buying platforms (e.g., MediaMath, Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with relevant media planning tools and platforms, as well as strong data analysis skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Client-centricity
- Sustainability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Client-focused and results-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Dentsu's values in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you used data to drive a strategic decision?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and internal teams?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should align with Dentsu's core values and demonstrate a strong work ethic, analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple campaigns and clients simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
- Keeping up with industry trends and technological advancements in media planning and buying
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment, balancing on-site and remote work effectively
- Navigating a large, global organization with diverse teams and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, continuous learning, effective communication, and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other media planning roles, this position offers a strong focus on strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration
- Within the advertising services industry, Dentsu is known for its global presence and diverse service offerings
- Career progression may involve moving into senior management or leadership roles within the agency or exploring international opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and development within a large, global organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive media strategy for a major FMCG client launch
- Optimizing media spend and performance for an e-commerce client, driving a 20% increase in sales
- Managing a team to deliver a successful media campaign for a high-profile event, achieving a 30% increase in event attendance
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and hands-on nature of the Manager, Media Planning role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the agency?
- How does Dentsu support the professional development of its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Dentsu approach work-life balance for hybrid roles?
- What are the most rewarding aspects of working at Dentsu, according to current employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help assess the work environment, growth opportunities, and cultural fit within the organization.
📌 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 media planning experience and achievements
- Prepare examples of successful media campaigns you've led or contributed to
- Research Dentsu's global presence and the Carat brand to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submission to confirm receipt of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
