Samantha Garcousha
Summary
Media Planner with experience leading strategy and media buying for large-scale advertising campaigns. Proven in developing account strategies, audience insights, and media mix recommendations across OTT, Linear TV, Online Video, Social, Search, Programmatic, and Digital. Strong cross-functional leader and client partner with a focus on delivering strategic, insight-driven marketing solutions.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Digital Media Planner
The Shipyard
San Diego, CA
11.2024 - Current
- Lead media planning and account management for the San Diego Tourism Authority across full-funnel digital channels
- Develop audience-first, insight-led media strategies informed by tourism demand signals, market trends, and traveler behavior to drive visitation, consideration, and long-term brand impact across key markets.
- Own budget stewardship, pacing, and continuous optimization, delivering analytics-driven recommendations, strategic reallocations, and performance insights to improve efficiency and campaign effectiveness.
Digital Media Planner
Horizon Media
Los Angeles, CA
01.2023 - 02.2024
- Develops comprehensive campaign strategies for both theatrical/home entertainment titles for clients such as Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions on the following titles: Fool's Paradise, Retribution, Dreamin' Wild, Moving On, SISU, Jesus Revolution, Cobweb, Mob Land, Silent Night
- Oversees daily duties of assistants, while providing tools to foster development within their roles
- Utilizes 3rd Party Planning tools (MRI, Comscore, Pathmatics) to extract key insights, contributing to innovative and well-targeted marketing solutions
- Develops campaigns strategies, audience insights, and media mix recommendations to drive awareness and conversion
- Implements strategy and media planning for theatrical campaigns utilizing cross-channel planning, including: linear TV, streaming video/audio, social platforms, and overall digital media
- Develops point of views to outline market insights and vendors' advantages/capabilities to clients.
Assistant Strategist - Integrated Media
Hearts & Science
Los Angeles, CA
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Assisted in media plan development and social media campaigns on the HBO account for the following titles: We Own This City, The Staircase, Rap Sh!t, Sex Lives of College Girls S2, Gordita Chronicles
- Uploaded client-approved media partner proposals into Prisma and issued Insertion Orders
- Created client-facing flow decks and flowcharts
- Assisted in strategy and development of social, video and digital planning
- Built ad campaigns on platforms including Facebook/Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, and Youtube
- Organized and actualized partner invoices into Prisma to maintain building accuracy.
Communications Specialist
Vector Strategies
Los Angeles, CA
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Vetted new prospects that aligned with business marketing strategies
- Developed company campaign to increase branding awareness and engagement
- Liaised between account holders and various departments to resolve issues and concerns.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication And Media Studies
California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA2021
Skills
- Media Buying
- Campaign Launch and Lifecycle Management
- Strategic Planning
- Excel Expertise
- Digital Media Plans
- Planning Tools: MRI, Comscore, Pathmatics, Prisma
- Social Media Platforms: Twitter, TikTok, Meta, Display & Video 360, YouTube
Timeline
Digital Media Planner
The Shipyard
11.2024 - Current
Digital Media Planner
Horizon Media
01.2023 - 02.2024
Assistant Strategist - Integrated Media
Hearts & Science
01.2022 - 11.2022
Communications Specialist
Vector Strategies
01.2021 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Communication And Media Studies
California State University - San Marcos