Assistant Account Executive, Sports & Entertainment

We are looking for an Assistant Account Executive to join our Sports & Entertainment team in Chicago!

You Will:

• Contribute and support media relations programs and activations surrounding campaigns for Zeno Group and Sports & Entertainment clients across numerous verticals, including but not limited to, NFL, NCAA, PGA, LPGA, Consumer/Brand, Fashion, Lifestyle, etc.
• Be well versed in the world of celebrities, pop culture and top-tier influencers and corresponding trends
• Assist in earned media outreach and pitch stories to reporters (via email and verbally) across different mediums (IE: print, broadcast and radio) and verticals (IE: sports, consumer, industry trades, entertainment, music, etc.); Identify opportunities, coordinate media interviews, send timely pitch updates, etc.
• Monitor news and industry trends that are relevant to account industries and competitors; Ability to critically think about how trends and news may influence client programming, perceptions, positioning, etc.
• Aid in development of press releases, visuals, media lists, presentations and additional collateral for a variety of clients alongside the full S&E team
• Support development of talent and influencer agreements / contracts
• Assist in coordination of talent media interviews, including identifying targets, securing interviews, drafting talking points, staffing interviews and managing logistics
• Support and track media efforts surrounding major media and pop culture moments (IE: Super Bowl, NFL Draft, remote media tours, award shows, film festivals, etc.)
• Exercise strategic and creative thinking around activations and campaigns through attending brainstorms for a variety of the agency's consumer clients
• Assist with general background research as needed and assist in vetting sports and entertainment talent
• Lead the charge with monitoring media coverage and compiling client-facing coverage reports surrounding activations/earned media campaigns
• Lead the development of the monthly Zeno S&E newsletter to highlight the department's ongoing work and available talent partnerships
• Update status grids and attend/take notes during weekly client status calls
• Participate in new business opportunities for the S&E team and agency as a whole
• Manage time effectively and meet deadlines, communicate project statuses with team
• Work in conjunction with the S&E team to develop and execute short and long-term plans and goals while tracking progress against goals

About You:

• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., at least 2 weeks after last dose) and, if hired, present proof of vaccination before start date. Candidates may request an accommodation due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief or an exception required under applicable law
• At least 2+ years' experience in Sports & Entertainment PR/communications/journalism -related fields 
• Preferred: previous sports Information or communications experience with a team and/or agency       
• Must be located in Chicago or willing to relocate to the New York or Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas
• Work within the Zeno office at least 2 days a week
• Assisted with communications/marketing team-related administrative tasks, including overseeing agency news monitoring reports
• Consistently produced high-quality internal and external communications content to support communications efforts
• Enjoy building relationships with internal partners, vendors, and third party stakeholders, acting as a liaison between agency and client
• Bring a positive, collaborative attitude to the agency and a willingness to work well with other Zeno teams and clients 

$40,000 - $51,000 a year

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global integrated communications agency, born from PR.We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our 'Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected,' we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry's most coveted awards including the 2021  PRovoke Global Creative Agency of the Year, 2021  PRovoke North American Agency of the Year and 2021  PRWeek Agency of the Year. We are honored to be a three-time winner of  PRWeek's Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.     

 

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.