Social Copywriter Intern

Company description

Publicis Groupe is a global leader in communication and is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation.

Publicis Groupe Africa has opened applications for Le Cubs 2027, its flagship 12-month internship programme designed to give young South African graduates meaningful workplace experience and an opportunity to build future-ready careers in the marketing and communications industry.

Starting in March 2027, successful applicants will join teams across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, gaining hands-on experience in disciplines including creativity, strategy, human resources, data, technology, AI, media and business support.

Le Cubs is designed to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the workplace, giving graduates the opportunity to move beyond theory, contribute to real work, learn from industry professionals and develop practical skills in a connected, collaborative environment.

Overview

Title: Social Copywriter
Location: JOHANNESBURG
Reporting To: Group Head/Creative Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Social Copywriter, you will help lead our passionate, multi-talented studio, guiding more junior members to deliver, and encourage exceptional, integrated concepts that exceed client briefs and expectations.

A Social Copywriter is an important contact point in our agency, so they can expect to be craft-led, strategically driven, media agnostic, agile and consistently conceptual, with a desire to transform brands by creating exceptional, intuitive, and human-centred products and experiences.

You be tuned into all aspects of South African popular culture and the platforms and media it plays in, as well as have a strong point of view on what it takes to win in this space, with the experience to back it up. Exceptional writing ability is paramount.

Responsibilities

Duties include, but not limited to:

What you’ll do everyday

• Responsibilities
• Content creation: write clear, engaging, and persuasive copy for a variety of marketing materials, including ads, social media posts, websites, emails, and brochures.
• Concept development: collaborate with the creative team to develop innovative concepts and campaign ideas.
• Research: conduct thorough research to understand the target audience, industry trends, and competitive landscape.
• Editing and proofreading: review and edit copy to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Brand voice: maintain and enhance the brand’s voice and tone across all written content.
• Seo optimization: incorporate seo best practices into web content to improve search engine rankings.
• Collaboration: work closely with designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure cohesive and effective campaigns.
• Client interaction: present copy concepts to clients and stakeholders, incorporating feedback and making necessary revisions

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Copywriting, Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, Media Studies, or a related field.
• A relevant qualification from institutions such as Vega School, AAA School of Advertising, University of Johannesburg, Wits University, or another recognised tertiary institution would be advantageous.
• A portfolio or examples of written work demonstrating creativity, strong writing skills and an understanding of social content.
• Excellent English writing, grammar, spelling and proofreading skills.
• Good understanding of social platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
• An understanding of writing for different formats, including social posts, captions, short-form video scripts, paid social and digital campaigns.
• Strong interest in social media trends, digital culture, brands, advertising and popular culture.
• Exposure to SEO, content strategy, digital marketing or AI-assisted writing tools would be advantageous.
• No previous agency or professional experience required.

Working knowledge of these tools

• Content management systems (CMS): proficiency in using CMS platforms like wordpress or similar.
• Seo tools: knowledge of seo tools such as google analytics, SEMrush, or ahrefs.
• Social media platforms: familiarity with major social media platforms and their content requirements.
• Basic html/CSS: understanding of basic HTML and CSS for web content formatting.
• Copywriting tools: experience with copywriting tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or similar.

·       Microsoft Office Suite (Word)

·       KeyNote / PowerPoint

THE PERSON

• Team player with the ability to work independently 
• Ability to work well in a highly pressurised, fast-paced environment
• Curious, imaginative creative mind with a passion for everything advertising related
• Meticulous
• Proactive - a “can do” attitude and willing to go the extra mile
• Accountable
• Solution and deadline driven
• Writing skills: exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Creativity: strong creative thinking and the ability to generate innovative ideas.
• Research skills: ability to conduct thorough research and synthesize information.
• Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail: high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Time management: ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

Additional information

Publicis Groupe Africa is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups. Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV including a link to your portfolio if necessary. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

COMPANY VALUES

TRUST

Trust is the cornerstone upon which we build our relationships. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of how a partner should behave. We treat our people and our clients with respect, transparency and honesty

TALENT

This is first and foremost a people business. We are committed to ensuring Publicis Groupe is a destination for the best talent in our industry. We value people as individuals, growing ourselves as we grow our client’s business

TRANSFORMATION

True transformation comes when we stop managing change, and instead initiate change. We believe in our purpose to be the admired force for business transformation. We believe that focusing on performance and results has the power to transform client business