Job Description
At Sterling, we create brands that make people think, feel and engage. Brands for today. We’ve done it for super heroes and super causes, organic farmers and information miners, bricks and mortar and digital destinations, cosmetics, condoms, and cornflakes – the tried and true and the disruptive trailblazer.
Our obsessively human-centric approach links every inspiration back to the consumer: their lives and passions, their habits and habitats. The result; is beautiful, inclusive, and effective solutions that make brands come alive and thrive.
Our focus is on consumer brands and their identity expressions on-pack, in-store, and online. We love creating the worlds brands live in and inspiring people to be part of them.
Sterling has an amazing culture of appreciation and celebrating team successes.
Sterling Brands | Summer 2026 Strategy Internship
When: May 2026- August 2026, full-time
Where: New York (preferred), San Francisco, or Cincinnati
About the Role:
This summer, you could have the opportunity to experience a fast-paced creative agency environment and gain exposure to a range of industries and high-profile consumer brands.
The Brand Strategy Intern will support Sterling’s strategy team on client projects as well as contribute to internal strategic initiatives.
Successful candidates will have a desire to enter a career in the Strategic Marketing field, with an emphasis in branding. We’re looking for a high-performing achiever, with demonstrated leadership in extra-curricular or work positions where critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills are required.
What You’ll Do:
Participate in client projects that allow you to learn and apply the fundamentals of brand strategy, including:
- Performing category audits and SWOT analyses to understand market dynamics, brand strengths/weaknesses, visual trends, brand messaging, etc.
- Reviewing market data and quantitative/qualitative consumer research to mine for relevant insights and identify key strategic consumer targets
- Contributing to brand positioning and brand architecture development
- Utilizing design thinking principles to understand brand equity and inspire design solutions
- Participating in brainstorm sessions to inform naming, creative territories, brand activation, campaign creation, and more
- Observing qualitative research to better understand the role of consumer-centric brand development
Assist in crafting persuasive and engaging presentations and observe client meetings to see how insights, strategic recommendations, and creative solutions are presented
Contribute to Sterling’s thought-leadership on topics relevant to branding, such as sustainability, health and wellness, and more
Work with team members from Strategy, Design, and Client Services disciplines to understand how the agency operates
Qualifications:
Must be enrolled in at least a four-year college degree program or graduate program, ideally with a focus in Business, Marketing, or Communications
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
A desire to learn or build on understanding of basic branding and strategic marketing principles
Articulate and creative—strong conceptual, visual and writing skills
Ability to work independently and think on ones feet
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Keynote
About Sterling:
We are a brand design consultancy based in NYC, San Francisco, and Cincinnati. For over 25 years, our design, strategy, and innovation teams have been working to bring brands to life across the entire ecosystem of experiences.
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