MW Conceptual Copywriter

Saatchi & Saatchi is the “Nothing is Impossible” agency, and one of the world’s most iconic agency brands.

We’re defined by Big Thinking, Creative Spirit and a Can-Do Culture. 

We’re part of Publicis Groupe, the world’s 3rd largest communications network that is driving innovation across the world, and leading the change in the brave new world of advertising (Ad Age’s Network of the Year 2022).

In South Africa, Saatchi & Saatchi has a proud history of producing groundbreaking and awarded work for clients like DStv, Guinness, P&G, Burger King, Mondelez, Distell, Engen, Old Mutual and may more.

The Saatchi & Saatchi global community is led by Kate Stanners (Chairperson/CCO) – and we connect regularly to share work, plus work – and also meet in person annually with all ECD’s from across the region. The New York, London and Sydney offices do some incredible work – with multiple Cannes Grand Prix winners over just the past few years.

We’re a creative hotshop as well as a connected global agency, working with partners across our Group – and across Africa - to create integrated work for different regions.  As a connected community, we collaborate with partners across the Groupe with different capabilities to make campaigns that live in a multitude of places. 

Our agency has a big name but a startup mentality - fuelled by big ambitions, a willingness to experiment, and a way of make things happen, whatever the challenges. We were ranked #2 Medium Creative Agency in SA in 2020.

Our people are a diverse bunch of rebellious creatives, who love their work and always push to create work that matters. As a connected community, we collaborate with partners across the Groupe with different capabilities to make campaigns that live in a multitude of places. 

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Midweight Conceptual Copywriter to join our team in Cape Town. Someone who can step in and hit the ground running, working with our ECD and Creative Group Head to develop meaningful creative content that will ingrain brands into popular culture.

Is digging to find meaningful insights and human truths your thing? Are you brilliant with ideas? Can you bring words to life as a tool of awesome persuasion? Does the thrill of a deadline bring out your creative genius? Are you driven by the desire to make an impact on the world? If so, we want to hear from you.

Job Description

To create clear yet engaging and informative copy / content that captures our audiences.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Understand the client’s strategy and business context, and always aim to do work that performs.
• Develop and execute outstanding work across ATL/BTL / TTL
• Work closely with a the creative team (i.e. Art Director) to generate creative ideas and concepts to fulfil the client’s brief
• Produce the “words” of sketches, storyboards, roughs or ‘scamps’ to communicate ideas to the client
• Work closely and in co-operation with strategic planning and client service department under the direction of the Creative Director
• Present concepts and ideas to the Creative Director (and Account Management) and to client when requested
• Build a strongly collaborative relationship with the broader team, partners and clients
• Timeous execution of work as scheduled by the traffic manager to ensure deadlines are met
• Check all the content to ensure it retains the highest standard
• Able to work on several campaigns at once
• Cast actors for TV and Radio , and listen to voice overs.
• Contribute to proactivity and innovative thinking on brands
• Assist with pitches, awards and new business presentations as required
• Keep abreast of consumer conversations that are trending
• Keep abreast with industry trends and standards in order to ensure work is always fresh, world-class and original

Requirements and Responsibilities

• Bachelor’s degree required and/or 4+ years’ experience with an advertising agency, with at least 3 years’ previous experience in a high-volume environment.
• Digital advertising experience preferential.
• A powerful creative portfolio that demonstrates originality, innovation, problem-solving and an understanding of TTL. Awards are highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, utilise resources, identify and address problems, meet deadlines, and stay within scope.
• Demonstrate the ability to frame the conceptual idea in alignment with the brand’s strategic intent and brand persona.
• Strong interpersonal skills: a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinker.
• Maintain high standards for execution and attention to tone and detail.
• Highly motivated with a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agency’s creative goals and the client’s business objectives.
• Ability to make use of market research to influence ideas and concepts.
• Understanding of the enormous capabilities of social media and the web.
• Strong ability to multitask 

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work within a team as well as independently
• Ability to remain calm in a highly pressurised environment
• Ability to accept constructive feedback and learn from it
• Confident
• Assertive
• Proactive
• "Out of the box" creative thinking
• Resilient
• Solution and deadline driven
• Meticulous with attention to detail
• Other:
  • Flexible to work overtime (if and when required)
  • Comfortable to work on alcohol brands (if and when required)
  • Comfortable to work on-site (if and when required)

Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Publicis Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups.