Account Executive

Play On is looking for a driven, self-starting Account Executive to generate meaningful multichannel advertising and brand partnerships revenue for Max Preps and the broader Play On portfolio including NFHS, GoFan, and Play On Sites. The ideal candidate will be a true hustler who's able to build impactful marketplace relationships, grow a robust pipeline, and close both new and renewal business on a consistent basis.

This position will play a key role in re-introducing the Max Preps brand to market, educating brands on the power of high school sports, and elevating Play On's overall business.

The Outcomes You'll Deliver

Revenue Generation - Achieve quarterly and yearly national advertising and brand partnership sales goals across Max Preps and broader Play On portfolio

Relationship Development - Build impactful relationships within assigned market-specific holding cos, strategic agencies, and direct clients

Creative Collaboration - Operate alongside key internal departments to create unique and meaningful marketplace pitches that can help Play On stand out and win

Hunting & Farming - Establish strategies and roadmaps for supporting effective "hunting" (new business) and "farming" (renewals) opportunities

In this role, you can expect to

• Consistently achieve or exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets
• Lead relationship development with assigned ad agencies, direct clients, and the entire media buying and planning chain
• Pursue and close new business while driving renewals with existing clients
• Build and evangelize unique proactive & reactive (e.g. RFP) multichannel partnerships spanning display, video, social, content, and more
• Participate in client entertainment initiatives to support relationship development
• Aid in post-sale execution and optimization to ensure client satisfaction
• Engage in ongoing feedback loops with internal departments and stakeholders to ensure marketplace knowledge and insights are being utilized internally
• Uphold quality, real-time reporting via Salesforce and other internal systems
• Communicate and collaborate internally with other departments including Client Strategy, Ad Operations, Revenue Strategy, and Content / Editorial

To thrive in this role, you have

• Bachelor's Degree and 4-7+ years digital media sales experience
• Existing relationships with holding companies (e.g. Publicis, Dentsu, Group
  
  M, OMG, Havas, IPG, etc.) and direct clients
• Ideal candidate will have strong client and agency relationships with Chicago territory Fortune 500 brands (i.e. Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Conagra Brands, McDonald's, United Airlines, Allstate, Abb Vie)
• Demonstrated track record of exceeding revenue targets
• Proven success in acquiring new business and stewarding client and agency relationships that drive revenue growth
• Experience with negotiating and closing brand partnerships, and a firm grasp on various aspects of media math
• Ability to thrive in multiple sales environments (remote and in-person) and effectively work with others to achieve broader business results
• Organized, strategic thinker who's able to take concepts to reality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in and enthusiasm for high school and broader sports marketplace
• Understanding of the digital landscape including Display, Video, Audio, Social, Branded Content, Events, Data/Targeting, Ad Measurement, and more
• Fluent in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, One Drive) & GSuite (Docs, Sheets, GDrive), and familiarity with Salesforce or other revenue reporting systems

How You Play

• Ownership over Participation - You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges.
• Team over Stars - You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win-win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed.
• Growth over Comfort - You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting…