Account Director, Media Relations

Account Director, Media Relations

The Integrated Media practice at Weber Shandwick Detroit is seeking an Account Director of Media Relations to support a large automotive account. We are looking for applicants with a foundational understanding of how earned media intersects with paid, owned and influencer disciplines, as they will shape Media Relations strategies within the context of integrated communications campaigns.

This candidate will bring established relationships with auto, tech, lifestyle, business, consumer and broadcast media, and demonstrate an understanding of how to craft storylines and angles that resonate with media and influencers. We value experience working on cross-functional teams either in an agency or corporate setting. 

This candidate should be comfortable wearing many hats within Media Relations - from leading the development of earned strategy, to overseeing pitch teams, to drafting key messaging and coaching client spokespeople, to translating client business goals into storytelling that yields coverage results. It will be important to have an inquisitive approach to client assignments and a proven ability to uncover differentiators and perspectives that position our clients as thought leaders.

Candidates are creative and action oriented and will act as an important facilitator for Media Relations programs in the Detroit office. This person will be passionate about mentoring and coaching junior and senior colleagues alike to ensure earned best practices carry through in our work and to instill best practices on effectively working with the media.

Responsibilities

  Collaborate with senior internal agency staff to develop effective media strategies and ensure client deliverables are being met

Counsel clients and colleagues on establishing effective relationships with journalists Lead or co-lead story mining sessions with subject matter experts and client executives develop news-making story angles that drive coverage results

  Develop a strong understanding of client business goals, target audiences develop earned strategies that translate into coverage accordingly

Effectively manage and oversee pitch teams through program execution communicate clearly how results meet program goals

Collaborate with social and digital counterparts internally and on the client side to ensure earned results carry through integrated programming

Understand news cycles, cultural shifts, industry trends and issues that directly and indirectly affect the client, and analyze and distill meaningful insights from media coverage

Generate story ideas and topic angles, draft media materials, and pitch media to land earned coverage

Develop strategic messaging support creation of integrated media plans and proposals

  Leverage influencers (e.g. online influencers, celebs, advocates, brand partners, analysts and other relatable voices) to impact clients, their brands and marketing goals

Actively and consistently coach junior counterparts to instill Media Relations best practices

 Qualifications

  Four-year degree or equivalent work experience in communications, journalism, international relations, or a similar field required

About 7-12 years of communications experience

Experience working in multiple industries experience in financial services/insurance, CPG, healthcare or consumer brands preferred

Demonstrates established relationships with media, such as reporters, editors, producers, podcasters, freelancers and contributors

Demonstrated success with media strategy, story development, and pitching

Experience writing PR plans and proposals

  Experience developing and supporting integrated programs, experience in working in an inter-agency team environment a plus Solid writing and editing skills

  Experience or familiarity working with creative teams

  Outstanding written and verbal communication skills Familiarity and comfort working with senior-level clients

Weber Shandwick is proud to The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including: 

• Medical 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• 401k (with employer match) 
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Juice Money - $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul 
• MyDays - Flexible holiday schedules 
• Short-Term Disability 
• Paid Employee Family Leave 
• Family Building Benefit 

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.

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