Strategy & Planning

Talk to me about documentation.
I generally use slides because I normally have to walk others through it via zoom calls. I’m at a new org and seeing a lot of people using docs, they are super dense hav… more

What time do you roll into the office? Seems like account is always in at 9 on the dot or earlier, creative comes in around 10, and then strategists tend to differ by personality type. The more creati… more

TLDR; What subscriptions or sites are we reading for B2B news & learnings? Any other tips?

Background primarily B2C and now at a B2B agency. It’s been a hard mental shift to digest as B2B is most focused on t… more

How do you negotiate a job offer? I’ve never done so before.
How do you counter? What is considered a general “too big” of a counter—can your counter salary be too high or a specific number of PTO that… more

Anyone using Waldo for research and brand strategy? Looking for a new research tool for our team and came across it.

Has anyone ever considered shifting to political strategy? Feels like a space that desperately needs talented strategists with a fresh point of view. Curious about any experiences.

If you had time to better your future employment prospects in branding / design (vs advertising) - what class would you recommend taking - self led / virtual? I’m thinking in particular brand architec… more

Everybody keeps talking about “further integrating AI into our work” cue the WPP town hall that happened. As a strategist to me it is just a good springboard, it helps me finding proof points and word… more

Said yes to a “quick strategic consult” on a brand plan. Four weeks later, I’m running the whole workstream. How do you set boundaries when being the strategic brain means you constantly get pulled in… more

I love scenario planning, but I swear some of these “worst case” exercises are just group catastrophizing. How do you keep contingency work realistic without feeding anxiety?

Built a three-year vision deck for a product line we might kill next quarter. I know long-term planning matters, but sometimes I wonder if we’re just doing elaborate forecasting theater. How do you st… more

I used to think a good strategy was about making the best decision. Now I think it’s about getting the least painful “yes” from the loudest stakeholder. Anyone else feel like compromise ends up wateri… more

Built a strategy for Q3 that I thought was airtight, data-backed, stakeholder-aligned, risk-assessed. The only thing I forgot? The CEO’s gut feeling. How do you balance instincts vs insights when lead… more

Directors of strategy and above, do you already implement AI in your work?

If so, how deeply are you using AI? Is everyone in your department using it? Does it help with any processes?

I’ve been working in strategy for 5 years. I think I’m ready to take the step from strategist to sr. strategist, but I’m also unsure because my job has never outlined expectations of either role.

What are the nec… more

When I started on this field, it was called account planning or strategic planning.

Now its called brand strategy. Why?

We went from being a verb to a noun.

Hello all, I’m recently on the job hunt after a company restructure and looking for my next chapter as an Associate Director in creative strategy, comms planning, or digital. I’ve spent my career shap… more

What’s a realistic salary range for a director in NY? On-site vs hybrid vs remote?

What do comms planners do when they’re not writing comms plans ?

How much should a brand strategist with 15 YOE be making in NY/LA/SF? And what level “should” they be at

Is it true that we’re expected to be all-rounders in strategy? I’m a creative/brand strategist, recently my agency wants me to pick up social and content strategy, and they also are talking about SEO … more

Hi,
- I’m looking to break into the Ai industry.
- My background is on Graphic Design, Digital Marketing(not much experience
- Can any (human) help me understand better the pathway towards an Ai focused career?more

Getting back into the freelance world. Do people need portfolios these days?

Freshly Graduated with a bachelor’s in Graphic Design, my background is on Graphic and Applied Arts, recently completed a digital marketing course on strategy and leadership where i learned in depth about digital marketing s… more

Can anybody give salary ranges for GSD/ESD/VP level?

Has anyone used Swoop as a data partner? What were your thoughts

I recently got laid off. I’ve been trying to find a position in strategy. Mid-level for someone with five years of experience in New York. Does anyone have any advice?

I work with another strategist who’s a similar level but has been there for years. Is it a bad idea visibility and career growth wise to have them present my slides to the CMO? I’m relatively new so i… more

An agency reached out with a great opportunity. I’m happy where I am, but there’s no real path upward. Given how unstable the market is, I’d only consider a move if a six-month severance clause were p… more

I feel like the Stephen Colbert cancellation is sending a broader message. If one of the most cherished legacy products can get cancelled, it feels like the corporate Dam isnt just cracking but breaki… more

What makes a great creative thought starter?

Considering a job offer (title promotion too), but because it's a small and fast growing agency, so I'll be somewhat of a lone wolf strategist.

Current agency has a larger strategy team that I work well w… more

I’m 100% focused on switching into Strategy after spending 8 years as a PM at some of the best agencies. Took me a long time to muster up the courage to go for it.

What’s one skill or pattern of think… more

What are the best agencies to work for as a brand strategist? Leading brands, deep creative collaboration, etc

Recoved a take-home assignment as part of an application to choose three campaigns and reverse engineer the strat (consumer, brand, cultural truth).
Is there any risk in choosing one of the agencies ca… more

Do I need an MBA?