Yamamoto has an immediate opening for a smart, hard-working person who is ready to propel their marketing career and is interested in brand strategy.

This is a six-month, fully paid internship with intent to convert into a full-time position based on the aptitude and performance of the selected candidate.

Our strategy team supports our clients by developing compelling, research-driven brand positioning and message platforms that become the foundation for our creative work and our content marketing efforts. We work closely everyday with the agency’s account and creative teams to develop effective campaigns designed to accomplish client marketing and business goals.

In this position, you’ll work under the guidance of an experienced strategy team and you’ll get involved in a variety of B2C and B2B assignments.  You’ll conduct market research, dive into consumer motivation, analyze competitive markets using provided tools and frameworks and support senior strategists as they develop foundational recommendations for our clients.

If you have solid analytical and intuitive skills, strong work ethic, great energy and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, you could be the right person for the job.

The Brand Strategy Associate is a committed, enthusiastic contributor who:

• Thinks on behalf of the consumer/customer to help us shape relevant insights that will lead to impactful brand strategy.
• Evaluates competitive landscapes and target audiences to support differentiated brand platforms that resonate in the market
• Brings a fresh POV and thinking to elevate team output
• Consistently produces well organized, thoughtful research summaries for assigned clients
• Collaborates well with account and creative teams

The Brand Strategy Associate has a degree in marketing, advertising, communications, or other relevant fields and has a basic understanding of brand positioning and marketing work in the modern world, with a focus on how target audiences think, behave, build perceptions and consume information.

On a daily basis, the Brand Strategy Associate will work under the guidance of a senior strategist in activities such as but not limited to the following:

• Conduct target audience research to help us uncover insights into consumer motivation and segmentation
• Analyze our client’s business and brands to provide concise, current perspective on the state of the business, often using frameworks such as a SWOT analysis
• Analyze key competitors to provide the team with a clear understanding of their brand messaging and market presence
• Identify and report on key cultural trends relevant to our clients’ brand and audience
• Gather category information, conduct primary and secondary research, develop user profiles and personas, mine social media
• Work closely with external partners and platforms to generate effective research
• Bring creativity, inspired thinking and unexpected ways to solve strategic problems to the table

• Excellent writing, quantitative and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (primarily Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct primary and secondary research
• Experience with 3^rd party tools and data sources like MRI, Mintel and SurveyMonkey preferred.
• A minimum of a BA or BS in Marketing or Journalism, or relevant liberal arts fields such as Anthropology or History.
• Previous internships or experience in marketing, sales or communications are not required but preferred
• This position is based in our Minneapolis office. We have a hybrid work environment and require staff to be in-office at least 20 hours per week.

ALIGNS WITH COMPANY CULTURE

Demonstrates Yamamoto’s core values: curiosity, creativity and courage

• Curious - We never stop learning or exploring.
• Creative - We light up the room with engaging imagination.
• Courageous - We are fearless and are up for any challenge.