Audio Media Planning & Buying Lead, Apple Services

Audio Media Planning & Buying Lead, Apple Services

At Apple, new ideas quickly become extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences. Bring passion and dedication to your work, and there's no limit to what you can achieve. We're seeking an experienced Media Planning and Buying professional to join the Apple Services Integrated Media team. In this role, you'll collaborate with in-house media, analytics, creative, and strategy teams to execute and optimize paid media campaigns. You'll serve as a primary point of contact for external partners—including OOH, TV, podcasts, vodcasts, and streaming radio—to deliver world-class integrated communications across both traditional and digital media. The ideal candidate is a strategic, data-driven, and creative Audio Media Buyer with expertise in planning, execution, and optimization of audio advertising campaigns. You will manage placements across podcasts, streaming platforms (Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, etc.), and terrestrial radio. A strong understanding of the audio landscape, excellent negotiation skills, and a passion for emerging formats and trends are essential. As the Audio Media Planning & Buying Lead, you'll oversee the end-to-end tactical planning and execution of cross-channel paid media campaigns across Apple Services. You'll also guide the exploration of new inventory sources, ad formats, and technology platforms to ensure best-in-class strategies and measurable business results.

You will oversee the strategy, planning, buying, and optimization of Apple Services audio campaigns. This includes building strong relationships with audio partners, identifying content and shows that align with target audiences, and negotiating placements. You will continuously optimize campaigns, collaborate cross-functionally, and stay current with industry trends and technologies. In this role, you'll be expected to analyze performance beyond top-line metrics, validate results through testing, and translate data into actionable insights. Success requires expertise in both traditional and digital audio advertising, strong tactical execution skills, and a commitment to continuous learning across the evolving audio/media landscape.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7–9+ years of media agency or in-house experience in planning, buying, production, measurement, and reporting, with strong focus on digital and/or traditional audio required.
• Deep understanding of paid media and how to optimize audio in conjunction with OOH, TV, CTV, search, social, and programmatic channels in an integrated capacity across the funnel.
• Hands-on experience managing podcast and streaming audio campaigns.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Spotify Ads Studio, AdsWizz, Megaphone, Acast, iHeartMedia, and programmatic audio buying tools.
• Experience buying media through direct and programmatic channels.
• Strong grasp of tactical campaign execution: media buying, production, BA/PR review, buy types and strategies, optimization methodologies.
• Holistic understanding of attribution and measurement methodologies (e.g., MMPs, third-party brand studies, MMM, MMT). Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret data and optimize accordingly.
• Functional knowledge of ad serving and third-party validation partners (e.g., CM, DoubleVerify, White Ops).
• Strong communication skills, with ability to clearly articulate media impact through a performance lens.
• Critical thinker with ability to identify technical workarounds.
• Established vendor and partner relationships.
• BS/BA degree required.

Pay & Benefits

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $146,800 and $221,200, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.