Connected Activation Media Buyer at Thrive Marketing Science

Position Overview
At Thrive Marketing Science, we are a strategy‑led boutique marketing agency by design—blending behavioral insight, creative storytelling, and precision deployment to generate meaningful business results. Our team is known for clear thinking, smart execution, and a deep commitment to excellence. We operate with emotional intelligence, refined communication, and respect for the complexity of the environments in which our clients work. We prioritize substance, clarity, and measurable performance—always with the goal of building lasting value.

The Media Buyer is a performance‑driven specialist within Thrive’s Connected Activation division, responsible for planning, negotiating, and optimizing media investments across digital, broadcast, and out‑of‑home channels. This role is ideal for a detail‑oriented, ROI‑focused professional who thrives on balancing analytical rigor with creative execution to maximize the impact of every dollar spent.

Reporting to the CEO, the Media Buyer collaborates closely with Behavioral Intelligence (data & insights) and Experiential Storytelling (creative) to ensure campaigns are strategically sound, well‑executed, and continuously optimized for measurable business outcomes.

Position Details

Employment Type: Full‑time

Compensation: Based on experience

Location: Primarily remote, with preference for candidates based in Southern California

Additional Info: Occasional in‑person client sessions, strategy workshops, or presentations may be required with advance notice

Key Responsibilities
Media Planning & Buying

Develop cross‑channel media plans aligned with client objectives and budgets

Negotiate rates and placements across digital, broadcast, print, and out‑of‑home channels

Manage insertion orders, contracts, and vendor relationships with accuracy and professionalism

Campaign Execution & Optimization

Launch and manage campaigns across paid search, paid social, display, video, and traditional media

Monitor performance daily, adjusting bids, budgets, and placements to maximize ROI

Partner with Behavioral Intelligence to align optimizations with audience insights and data findings

Performance Reporting & Analysis

Build clear, data‑driven reports on campaign performance and efficiency

Provide recommendations for budget reallocation and scaling successful tactics

Present campaign outcomes to clients with clarity and strategic foresight

Manage relationships with media vendors, platforms, and publishers

Stay current on emerging media opportunities, tools, and technologies

Ensure compliance with brand safety, regulatory standards, and platform guidelines

Work closely with creative teams to ensure ad units align with campaign strategies

Collaborate with client stakeholders to align campaigns with broader marketing goals

Serve as a trusted advisor on media investment strategy and performance

Qualifications

3–5 years of professional experience in media buying or digital advertising (agency or casino/gaming industry experience a plus)

Proficiency with media buying platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads, Programmatic DSPs, etc.)

Strong negotiation skills and vendor management experience

Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data and make optimization decisions

Familiarity with campaign tracking, attribution models, and reporting tools

Excellent communication and presentation skills with clients and internal teams

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred (not required)

ROI and cost‑efficiency of media spend across campaigns

Accuracy and timeliness of campaign execution and reporting

Positive feedback from clients and internal teams on media performance and transparency

Contribution to strategic campaign improvements and measurable business growth

Effective collaboration across Thrive’s service divisions (Behavioral Intelligence, Experiential Storytelling, Connected Activation)

Thrive Services and Departments
At Thrive Marketing Science, we deliver impact through three integrated service divisions. Each department is designed to blend science, storytelling, and precision activation to give our clients a measurable competitive edge.

Behavioral Intelligence (Research, Strategy & Analytics)

Market Research & Cultural Fluency

Brand & Media Strategy

Loyalty Program Development

Audience Journey Mapping & Futurecasting

AI Strategy & Tech Stack Curation

Experiential Storytelling (Creative & Content Production)

Brand Identity & Story Creation

Graphic Design, Copywriting, Scriptwriting

AI‑Powered Personalization

Web Development & UX Design

Virtual & Live Events (AR/VR, Livestreams)

Full Content Production (Video, Motion Graphics, Audio)

Connected Activation (Media, Deployment & Campaigns)

Media Planning & Buying (Traditional + Digital)

Content Creation & Amplification

Influencer Campaigns

AI‑Powered Programmatic Placement

Direct Response & Conversion Optimization

Reputation Management & Earned/Owned Digital Integration

Culture & Values
At Thrive, we believe in high standards, clear thinking, and bold ideas—always grounded in real impact. We exist to create meaningful, measurable change in our clients’ businesses—and in the lives of the people behind them. We take pride in being a strategic partner that delivers results with integrity, intention, and respect.

We also believe work should uplift, not deplete. That means building a culture where success is shared, growth is personal, and the day‑to‑day experience feels energizing and purposeful. When we win, we win together— in a way that expands opportunity and amplifies positive impact.

As we grow, we aspire to support businesses that make a meaningful difference—and to build a team rich in perspective, grit, and tenacity. We value people with non‑linear paths, real‑world experience, and the determination to solve problems, learn fast, and lead with heart.

We operate with a trust‑and‑verify mindset—expecting transparency, consistency, and results from ourselves and our team, while welcoming the same from our clients. We believe accountability builds confidence, and that mutual trust is earned through clarity, action, and follow‑through.

We believe in speaking with intention and respect—about our clients, our teammates, our leaders, and our company. Reputation is everything, and we protect it by showing up with clarity, follow‑through, and integrity. We value honest, constructive conversations that strengthen trust and help each other grow. When we speak positively, offer feedback directly, and represent our shared mission with pride, we all move forward—together and stronger.

Our culture is built on:

Excellence

in execution and outcomes

Transparency

in communication and decision‑making

Integrity

in how we show up, internally and externally

Ownership and accountability at every level

Superior‑level follow‑through that earns deep trust

A growth mindset that embraces challenge and feedback

A commitment to work that is authentic, transformative, and human‑centered—for our clients and our team

Work Environment

Thrive operates as a distributed team; this is a remote role with flexibility in working hours.

Travel is expected for high‑impact meetings, client visits, and industry events.

The pace is fast, expectations are high, and communication is clear and direct—we value excellence, autonomy, accountability, and meaningful, measurable results.

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