Homepage
Editor (Bing France http://www.bing.com)
The
MSN/Windows Live Network attracts 28m unique French users a month (source
Comscore, 2009), of whom 8m visit
Bing. We are looking for an online editor with
impeccable editorial skills, in-depth knowledge of Photoshop and image rights,
plus a proven ability to select visually appealing images to engage a French mass consumer audience. The successful candidate will fill a role as
a vendor on a Websters’ long-term contract in-house at Microsoft’s Search
Technology Centre in Soho.
Summary
of key skills required
·
Excellent
writing skills including headline and caption writing with flawless French
spelling and grammar skills
·
Ability
to select visually appealing images to engage a mass consumer audience online
·
Knowledge
of image rights and using photo libraries
·
Advanced
Photoshop skills
·
Ability
to use online content management systems and web tracking and reporting tools
·
Good French
and English communication skills
·
Data
analysis and management including familiarity with Excel
·
A
search marketing background would be advantageous
The
role in detail
The Homepage Editor's role is to enhance the user
experience on Bing in France, engage a mass consumer audience with the
functionality of Microsoft’s search engine and contribute to the development of
France search experience.
The Homepage Editor will select the images to use
on the new France Search homepage from a selection supplied by the corporate
image team in the US, edit them to fit on the page, including using advanced
Photoshop techniques to enhance the image where necessary, decide which links
to use, what the teaser text should be and where the hotlinks should be placed
on the page. The Homepage Editor will also collate additional images that are
related to the main image to provide extra functionality and write additional
related teaser headlines.
The Homepage Editor will write teaser hotspot text
links which will, in most cases, relate to the daily homepage image. These links should entice the user to
navigate through Bing’s various search verticals. The hotspot text should be a combination of
general knowledge (historical/travel/cultural/geographical information, trivia
etc.) and commercial copy; therefore, strong research, copywriting, French
culture/market knowledge, and French grammatical skills are required. Attention
to detail is essential.
The images selected will need to adhere to MSN’s
image guidelines and all copyright policies. The Homepage Editor will be able
to select from the library of images already used by the US Search site but can
also use images provided by MSN partner providers such as Getty and Corbis.
Therefore, in addition to having an eye for a visually striking image, the
Homepage Editor will need an understanding of image rights and how to use photo
libraries (note that Microsoft has already negotiated terms with each of the
image suppliers to be used). The Homepage Editor will also need a keen
appreciation of US/FRANCE cultural differences to know when to use a US image
and when to select a local one. The Homepage Editor will need a good
understanding of French zeitgeist and current affairs to be able to choose
timely images and hotlinks that engage French users.
The Homepage Editor will also be responsible for
enhancing Bing search results by gathering collections of images and content
around timely events such as the Oscars, political elections, sports events,
music festivals etc and adding them to the Search site. On occasions this will
require work outside of regular office hours (with time off in lieu).
The role requires substantial data analysis to
ensure that Bing is delivering the most relevant answers to questions that
MSN’s consumers are asking. This will involve analysing the query logs of
searches generated in France and establishing any trends that are emerging, so as
to ensure correct results are being served. The Homepage Editor will also be
involved in the analysis of identifying appropriate data content from the US
product and assessing its suitability for the French market. They will then be
responsible for identifying areas where there is a need for more French
specific data.
The role will also include other editorial
responsibilities focusing on strategies to help improve the relevance and
timeliness of search queries (such as around seasonal events and related
queries). There will also be additional responsibilities relating raising the
profile of Bing Video and News search. Additionally the Homepage Editor will
write a blog which is related to their role, highlights the Bing features and
leverages other MSN features.
The Homepage Editor will need to be familiar with
using web content management systems.
The Homepage Editor will have a number of key
stakeholders across the business including Search marketing staff, Search
Technology Centre executives, the US Search team, MSN France homepage content
managers and the MSN France Editor-in-Chief. The Homepage Editor will be
responsible for tracking the clicks on the links they program and for reporting
to the stakeholders on their performance.
This contract role is funded by the Search
Technology Centre group and is based at the Search Technology Centre in Soho
with some travel to Microsoft’s MSN office in Victoria and Bing’s France office
in Paris.
Applications
Please attach your CV to a covering e-mail with the
job title as the subject, specifically describing your suitability for the
role and including details of your current salary (and/or expectation) plus
current employment status, to:
Closing date for applications: Tuesday, 6 April 2010.