Ketchum

About Ketchum

As a global communications consultancy with 100 years of experience, Ketchum is a trusted partner who is equal parts creative and analytical. Ketchum is a place where all perspectives and points of view are welcome and encouraged. We are a collection of communications specialists, content creators, creatives, researchers, data analysts, media pros, digital strategists, issues and crisis counselors, and tech nerds. And we love when those worlds collide to create the very best teams and solutions for our clients. We work with the world’s leading brands, emerging start-ups, and everything in between. We are beyond proud to have created some of the most celebrated and award-winning campaigns in our industry. We’re just crazy enough to think we can impact the world – and how it responds to ideas – through communication.

We encourage our employees to be curious, brave, inspiring, and a force for good. Let’s talk. Come belong at Ketchum!

Overview:

We are looking for a senior media specialist to join our award-winning Earned Media Center of Excellence. The SMS will be part of a US-based team that thrives at the front lines of proactive earned media engagement on behalf of Ketchum’s clients. They will embody our team values – curious, courageous and committed – while working side by side with members of the media team, agency partners and clients, providing world-class media counsel, building boundary-pushing media strategies and, most importantly, telling the stories that matter to our clients and to media. They will not only have deep connections with media, they will also understand the evolving media landscape and what it takes to tell a company’s story amidst the ever-changing external climate, increasingly competitive landscape and shifting consumer habits. We are looking for someone who is adept with consumer media and will enjoy the opportunity to work with the agency’s B2C clients. 

About The Job:

Client Management:

• Willingness to be embedded on client account teams that align to existing and desired media expertise.
• Serve as media counsel to designated clients and account teams.
• Develop a consultative relationship between team members, account teams and key client contacts to include regular and proactive engagement, and direct correspondence with teams and clients.
• Quickly synthesize what it takes to make something mediable in the constantly changing media landscape.
• Juggle multiple projects across accounts and pivot quickly to meet deadlines.
• Contribute to building and executing a media strategy with precision.
• Write or support the writing of compelling media materials – media POVs, press releases, statements, quotes, talking points, pitches.
• Edit media materials and provide constructive feedback.
• Compile media coverage reports, including analysis.
• Proactively and reactively engage with media with a wide range of pitches that are news, trend, expert, or product driven on a regular basis.
• Prep executives and spokespeople for media interviews and staff interviews both in-person and virtually.
• Willingness to travel for client media engagements.
• Staff media interviews, both in person and virtually.
• Demonstrated obsession with consumer media – understanding both individual journalists and the outlets they work for.

Leadership:

• Actively support shaping the Earned Media Team’s POV on media relations and strategy; earn recognition as an agency media expert.
• Play a role on the Earned Media Team both in the office and virtually to reinforce the values of our team.
• increase internal and external visibility for media relations best practices, trends and developments.
• Willingness to mentor staff across teams.
• Willingness to collaborate across geographies and across industries to deliver for clients.

Business Development:

• Collaborate with account teams to uncover incremental business opportunities with existing clients, aligned to media expertise.
• Support media strategy portion of new business proposal and presentation processes.

Qualifications:

We are looking for the required skills, which can come from any combination of education and experience. Diversity of thought and background are encouraged. Typical qualifications include:

• Five-plus years of combined public relations, marketing communications, or media experience.
• Demonstrated success in media relations including a strategic understanding of established and emerging media verticals. 
• Relationships with business media across broadcast and print media.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, meet deadlines, and keep manager and team effectively updated. 
• Excellent verbal, written, project management and presentation skills.

The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available.

What We Offer

• Hybrid Workplace: Three days a week in the office
• Robust benefits program, effective within 30 days of hire
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Family Forming Benefits
• Employee Recognition Program
• Generous paid time off includes vacation, wellness, and extended holiday schedule
• Various development opportunities to enhance personal and professional life
• Tuition reimbursement
• Monthly Cell Phone & Wi-Fi reimbursement

Interested? We’ve got an opportunity for you.