Director, Public Relations

Description

**SALARY RANGE: $95,000 to $130,000**

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Company Overview

Interactive One (www.interactiveone.com) is powered by the mission to create an online community that provides rich content and digital products that engage, entertain and inspire the lives of African Americans.

Since its launch in 2008 by Urban One, iONE Digital’s news, entertainment, video, and lifestyle content has driven its growth. From roots in radio, compelling storytelling, and endeavors in frontier technology, the iONE Digital portfolio includes some of the most recognizable brands in the digital landscape. The iONE Digital portfolio focuses on key passion points and interests, including men’s and women’s lifestyle, sports, beauty, fashion, and entertainment - comprised of Cassius, HelloBeautiful, MadameNoire, Bossip, NewsOne, GlobalGrind, HipHopWired, BlackAmericaWeb and Elev8. Each iONE brand is an authoritative voice in its own right. In addition to publishing brands, iONE Digital is home to the original social network for urban millennials, BlackPlanet, and three YouTube brands – The Fumble, Hollyscoop, and Nerdwire. 

Reporting to the EVP, Head of Integrated Marketing, Integrated Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, the Director, PR is critical to the success of iOne Digital and the publisher’s brand image. This position strategizes and implements publicity plans that generate positive trade press and consumer coverage of the publisher and its assets. This role is also critical to the success of iOne Digital’s original content, new/returning franchises, premier tentpole events and client-driven campaign/initiatives, as well as the publisher’s general brand image. This position strategizes and implements publicity plans that generate positive consumer, trade, and industry press coverage of the publisher’s content slate, leading to awareness and viewership. A seasoned publicist with minimum of eight years’ experience managing and executing all business and trade publicity is desired.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work directly with the EVP, Head of Branded Entertainment, Integrated Marketing, and Strategic Partnerships on developing actionable PR strategies and campaign plans.
• Generate publicity for key publisher content, initiatives, and branding in consumer, business, and trade press.
• Manage all press materials, including releases, bios captions, talking points, pitches, and media correspondence.
• Engage with the personal/talent publicists and actors or on-air personalities to prioritize and maximize talent participation in publicity activities; this role will have contact with producers, directors, studio partners, business affairs, legal, post-production, and many other constituencies and disseminate information to all.
• Create and implement strategies to effectively manage the iONE Digital LinkedIn page, including—but not limited to—cross-department synergies and promotion with IO Content/Social/Branded Content, creating and managing posts, growing reach, and reporting.
• Work with Research on developing strategies for partnering with third-party industry experts/vendors/platforms to release and promote key cultural insights, data, and other reports.
• Manage/track related budgets, financial trackers, and audience/impressions on campaigns.
• Work closely/in tandem with Integrated Marketing, Research, and Content Teams (Video, Edit, Branded Content Studios), Sales, and Management
• Day-to-day oversight of external PR agencies
• Other special projects as assigned.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and direct a team to include but not be limited to:
• Provide regular constructive feedback.
• Resolve issues/conflicts with diplomacy in a timely manner.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support for growth and development.
• Deploy effective coaching skills.
• Practical understanding of anti-harassment and discrimination laws
• Ability to effectively administer performance reviews and corrective action plans as appropriate.
• Comply with Network and Urban One’s mandatory trainings and adhere to related course deadlines.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

• Proficient in using Cision, TVEyes, ConstantContact, and other online PR and earned media software platforms.
• Proficient in MS Outlook and Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), presentation platforms (i.e., Canva, Prezi, et al.), and graphics (e.g., Adobe/Photoshop)
• Well-established digital media industry, cable, broadcast, entertainment, celebrity, general market consumer, and African American/urban media contacts are essential, as well as an ability to cultivate and nurture relationships with members of the media.
• Ability to develop relationships among diverse and mainstream media and work closely with reporters and editors.
• A strong understanding of digital media publicity, key press outlets/journalists, and experience in launching and sustaining press coverage on content launches.
• Strong written, verbal, and editing communication skills.
• Strategic thinker and problem-solver
• Experience in launching and sustaining 360-degree press campaigns is essential.
• Knowledge of best practices in social and traditional PR
• Deadline-oriented and ability to work under pressure.
• Proactive and innovative and can handle difficult personalities with ease and composure.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to multi-task and prioritize to ensure workflow efficiency.
• Must be able to work effectively and efficiently in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to partner effectively with a variety of departments (e.g., Content, Ad Sales, Product, Marketing, etc.) on several initiatives.
• Possess energy and enthusiasm and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
• Legal right to work in the United States

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS/BA degree in Communications, Public Relations or related field is required.
• Minimum of 5 years related or equivalent professional experience.
• Thorough understanding of social and traditional public relations.
• Knowledge and previous experience in the digital media/media and entertainment industry is preferred.

**SALARY RANGE: $95,000 to $130,000**

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

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