APCO Worldwide

We are looking for an International Media relations consultant to join our operation in Dubai, UAE.

The role:

The International Media Relations Consultant role is to manage media relations, draft media plans for APCO’s largest clients in MENA by crafting and implementing media engagement plans to maximize media coverage of client’s projects.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a network of high-level professional contacts within the local, regional GCC, and international media, along with specific niche media contacts in areas of clear relevance to the client.
• Maintain industry/ media contacts to remain informed of industry activity and trends on local, regional levels.
• Assist with the development and implementation of client’s media communications strategies and advise on the best means to achieve maximum positive coverage.
• Draft and compare media plans for a variety of clients including local and regional ones.
• Provide guidance on relevance of media outlets to client and resulting exposure, viewing/reading figures they can expect from different media outlets.
• Draft media Q&As/talking points for client spokespeople – in English and/or Arabic.
• Respond rapidly to, and deal effectively with, enquiries from the media and other opinion formers.
• Advise Account Directors and/or Account Managers of media issues and on the best means of handling them.
• Develop and maintain contacts with PR departments of key entities related to the client such as Government entities.
• Evaluate client’s media coverage and advise client teams accordingly.
• Ensure the timely and effective dissemination of media communications, including press releases, statements, invitations, fact sheets and other client approved media related material, to target media audiences.
• Ensure Arabic and English press releases are aligned prior to dissemination.
• Follow up on dissemination of media releases to ensure stories are picked up.
• Produce monthly media coverage reports, annual press coverage reports, and specific press coverage reports for news releases - as advised by client.
• Attend meetings with the client.
• Invite and manage media before, during and after client events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in arts/media/communications/journalism
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, preferably with some journalistic experience
• Fluency in Arabic and English – spoken and written
• Relationship with Tier 1 Media locally and in the GCC