National Sales Manager, Gaming & Entertainment Sales

Description

Position at IGN

IGN Entertainment, a division of Ziff Davis, Inc., is one of the world’s largest gaming and entertainment media platforms and the go-to destination for fans to explore and celebrate games, film, TV, comics and much more. Across its 16 digital properties, IGN Entertainment reaches more than 500 million monthly users in 110 countries and engages with 85 million fans on social media. Its portfolio includes favorites such as IGN, Eurogamer, Digital Foundry, Rock Paper Shotgun, and MapGenie, delivering daily content across 30 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and connected TV. Through its online digital store Humble Bundle, IGN Entertainment has donated over $250 million to more than 38,000 charities worldwide, underscoring its commitment to making a positive impact. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IGN Entertainment's content is localized in 20 languages.

Job Summary:

Join IGN Entertainment, the leading media brand for games, movies, TV, comics, and more! We're at the forefront of the gaming and entertainment industries, delivering unparalleled content to over 500 Million fans worldwide. As a National Sales Manager on the Gaming & Entertainment vertical - you'll have the exciting opportunity to connect brands with our highly engaged audience through innovative and impactful advertising solutions.

We're looking for a highly creative, innovative, and proactive Sales Manager to drive revenue growth across the gaming and entertainment verticals. This isn't just about selling ads; it's about crafting compelling, 360 campaigns that resonate with our audience and deliver exceptional results for our partners.

You'll be instrumental in closing deals that span standard media, programmatic, branded content, licensing, events, and social-first programs with both client-direct and agency partners. The ideal candidate will possess an in-depth understanding of the digital advertising landscape, a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, and a genuine passion for gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. If you have a talent for cultivating and forging new relationships and enjoy putting together innovative programs to pitch and convince advertisers of IGN Entertainment's unique value proposition, we want to hear from you.

Job Responsibilities:

• Campaign Development & Revenue Generation:
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to identify, target, and acquire new clients and agencies within the gaming (game publishers, developers, esports organizations, gaming platforms) and entertainment (film studios, TV networks, streaming services, music labels, event promoters) verticals.
• Drive consistent revenue growth by exceeding quarterly and annual sales targets across a diverse portfolio of offerings including standard media, programmatic, branded content, licensing, events, and social-first programs.
• Craft compelling, custom 360-degree advertising solutions tailored to client objectives.
• Author capabilities and pitch presentations that are tailored to your clients’ needs and KPIs.
• Negotiate and close complex advertising deals, ensuring favorable terms and strong partnerships.
• Relationship Management & Business Development:
• Leverage and grow your strong client and agency-side relationships while actively cultivating and forging new connections within the industry inclusive of:
• Media Agencies
• Streaming Platforms
• Film Studios
• Social Media Networks
• Sports
• Game Publishers
• Act as a trusted advisor, deeply understanding client business objectives and challenges to provide strategic insights and recommendations.
• Effectively pitch and convince advertisers of IGN Entertainment's unique value proposition and our ability to connect them with a passionate and influential audience.
• Market Expertise & Collaboration:
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, competitive landscape, and new technologies in digital advertising, social media, gaming, and entertainment.
• Identify emerging opportunities and contribute to the development of new advertising solutions.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (Account Management, Ad Operations, Branded Content, Events, Social, Business Intelligence) to ensure seamless campaign execution and client satisfaction.
• Provide accurate sales forecasts and reports to management.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in digital advertising sales, with a significant focus on the gaming and/or entertainment verticals.
• Demonstrable track record of consistently exceeding sales quotas, particularly with 360-degree campaigns.
• In-depth knowledge of digital advertising technologies and platforms (e.g., programmatic, video, mobile, paid social, ad servers, CTV, DMPs).
• Strong understanding of the gaming ecosystem (publishers, developers, platforms, esports, influencers) and/or the entertainment landscape (film, TV, music, streaming, social media).
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to articulate complex solutions clearly.
• A creative, innovative, and proactive approach to problem-solving and campaign development.
• Proven ability to build and maintain very strong client and agency relationships, as well as cultivate new ones.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to work independently as well as part of a dynamic team.
• Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office/Google Suite.
• Not Required, but Helpful:
• An existing network of contacts within the gaming and/or entertainment advertising space is a must.
• A deep passion for entertainment, gaming, and pop culture.
• Experience with specific ad tech platforms or ad formats relevant to content-driven publishers.

Work Environment:

• Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, M-F. There is an expectation for this role to work odd hours from time to time for client services, campaign reporting, and client entertainment/events.
• Travel Requirements: Some travel is required for this role.
• Physical Requirements: This role involves standard office-based activities, including extended periods of sitting, standing, and working at a computer.
• Work Model: This role is a hybrid position in Los Angeles. This role will be required to work out of our LA office at least 3 days per week (Tuesday-Thursday).

Our Culture and Values

At IGN, we believe diversity stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of new ideas, and enriches our personal and professional lives. We are committed to championing diversity in all that we do, weaving fairness and equity into the fabric of our organization, and achieving a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and antiracist culture where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive.

Here’s the good stuff about us…

• You’ll make an impact. We reach 490MM monthly unique users. We’re big time, but we’re not afraid to give you real opportunities to be epic and make a difference immediately.
• We’ve got a big presence, but a small team.
• We have fun. It’s all about games and games are fun. Anyone can offer a casual work environment, flexible hours, and benefits. We can offer that and a place where you can squad up with your coworkers in the arcade/game room.

We’re passionate about what we do. IGN employees understand our users, because they are our users. We have a personal interest in providing the best possible product.

IGN Entertainment offers competitive salaries in addition to robust health and wellness focused benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits; Flexible Spending accounts, 401(k) with company match, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Pregnancy and Parental leave, Family Planning Support via Maven, Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Fitness Reimbursement as well as employee-focused engagement and education programs, including Employee Resource Groups and company-sponsored events. If you’re seeking a dynamic work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance, then IGN is the place for you.

Ziff Davis is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Salary Disclosure: Ziff Davis provides a range for the base pay. Factors that may be used to determine your actual pay may include your specific job related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. The base pay for this position ranges from $85-110K, plus incentive compensation (for eligible roles only), 401K with company match, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, short and long-term disability, and a flexible time off policy.