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At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking an Associate Director, Business Affairs for VML to play an integral role supporting creative development, integrated productions and handling financial and legal aspects of all agency production for omnichannel advertising campaigns, including digital, broadcast, print, and experiential projects. You will serve as an expert and main point of contact for producers, account management and agency leadership for all production matters for North American clients.
The ideal person for this role is a team player with a creative mind, an ability to work in a fast-paced creative environment and an extensive understanding of the production process from conception and bidding to final delivery. They are detailed, with a keen eye on all aspects of omnichannel production, ensuring they are finished on time, on scope and on budget.
What you'll do:
- Manage | Help to lead Business Affairs for clients and the production of their day-to-day work deliverables, owning production projects from start to finish. Act as the Team leader overseeing assigned production business manager(s) across offices in North America. Handle Union issues: Taft-Hartley Requests, SAG/AFTRA P&H Audits and oversee handling of union claims with talent payroll company. Maintain a focus on a solutions-oriented environment inspiring collaboration
- Collaborate | Partner with department leads to educate new team members to agency and client production processes. Interface and coordinate with creative, client engagement, accounting, legal and outside production partners. Work with the Director of Business Affairs to advance the department by targeting select talent that can continue to enhance our capabilities within the evolving content landscape. Collaborate with various cross-agency teams to review creative materials at all stages while advising on talent, third-party rights, including copyright, trademark, and rights of publicity, and other advertising regulations and guidelines. Liaise with agency legal on contract challenges, release standardization and updates, templates and risk assessments. Advise on production guidelines, best practices, and client brand guidelines. Partner with production and other stakeholders to track and manage active agency production jobs. Partner with finance and production partners to finalize client estimates. Work with Producers and Finance on various production budgets.
- Audit | Review vendor policies and engagement agreements. Maintain sufficient business practices to insure all production is auditable by Agency auditors, Clients and Unions: SOX compliance, transparency and adherence to Union Collective Bargaining Contracts. Enforce Agency & Client Production Guidelines: specs, competitive bidding, estimating, contracting. Ensure alignment with Client SOWs and MSAs and manage third party rights and obtain clearance. Create and issue award documents including vendor agreements, production contracts, insurance, licensing and talent agreements and vendor purchase orders. Always have an eye on evaluating production and contract challenges. Proactively manage all account transition documentation and Licensing. Advise and proactively educate agency teams and clients on the SAG-AFTRA and AFM (if applicable) agreements, including waivers, interpretations, regulations, and non-union (if applicable) best practices, employment guidelines and other considerations. Update agency process and forms based on changes in the industry. Participate in and impact project scoping discussions. Estimate talent session fees and all other talent related costs of production; work with talent payroll company and account services to estimate usage fees. Draft and negotiate various third-party agreements, including music, licensing of footage and images, artwork and recognizable structures, apps, and other third-party rights.
What you'll need:
- 7 -12+ years of experience in advertising agency business affairs
- Extensive knowledge around the SAG/AFTRA/AFM Commercials, contracts and discussions
- Comprehensive knowledge of AICP and AICE bid forms
- Experience with international production and overseas talent payment negotiations
- Knowledge of legal guidelines for commercial production, licensing language, trademark, rights of privacy, copyright, production insurance
- Exceptional initiative, pitch-in, multi-tasking, attention to detail and follow through skills
- with contract negotiations with clients and third parties
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects at once
- A passion for helping teams create their very best work in the smartest way possible
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram,LinkedIn, andX.
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Wunderman Thompson is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.