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I have to ask (kindly): Did you take on this role without fully understanding what a strategist does?
The guides below are excellent, but you may also need to look into the type of strategist you want to be, as there is little guidance (as you are seeing internally). A strategist's job differs daily or week by week, depending on the client and the project. Strategists are creatives, researchers, planners, writers, and analysts in one. The work is shaped based on the assignment; no day will be the same. A creative agency also has at least six types of strategists (brand, comms, social, digital, UI/UX, data, and culture). I suggest looking up a T strategist and planning Dirty Academy.
Great question! I am familiar with the role of a strategist, especially within a previous company. I really had no say in transitioning to fully strategy. My agency did a ton of layoffs after looking at our previous work. When I transitioned the strategy director quit along with the only 2 strategists in his team. This is why I feel a bit stuck. I’m now in charge of strategic planning and social media for our clients until we hire again, so you might imagine, it’s pretty scary. I can’t afford to quit as I just moved into a new place right before all this happened. Was hoping to get insight from others who have done this for a lot longer.
Welcome aboard!
First Check with Your Agency:
I’d ask your team for their Job Descriptions (current and senior roles) to ensure you are meeting their/the agency expectations.
Also to speak with your Line Manager and ask for an official onboarding and to take you through 2-3 of the departments best documents.
Take them out for a coffee and a chat to discuss how they would like to work and how you like to work and what their expectations are and how you can progress.
Day-to-Day and Levelling Up:
Here is a link to BBH 3 Stages for development.
https://joinfishbowl.com/comment_qs2iukaffx
Planning:
Then have a read through the McCann Vision - it’s incredibly thorough.
In the same link - also consider JWT (original planning guide) and TBWA Disruption.
https://joinfishbowl.com/comment_zxtj4akpwt
Good luck!
Here’s a good primer:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/craigfraserwood_craig-wood-brand-strategy-activity-7199671067332800513-zMZW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
And then here’s an incredible resource - the strategy starter pack - which might overwhelm you but I guess just take it one link at a time: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E57VmpKcqmIiyplgs2r9zTDSkfz0dKnSo-oZwWpe5w0/edit