This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
Director of Publicity
HarperCollins
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Zonderkidz is an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing and publishes board, picture, and middle grade fiction and non-fiction books, as well as Bibles and storybook Bibles for ages 0-12. We also publish YA fiction and non-fiction under the Zondervan imprint for the ages 13 and up. Our current successes include bestselling brands such as The Beginner’s Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible, I Can Read, The Berenstain Bears, Faithgirlz, and the Adventure Bible. We also celebrate working with talented bestselling authors such as Simone Biles, Tim Tebow, Gabby Douglas, Rick Warren, Chelsea Crockett, Natasha Bure, and more. Our ideal candidate will possess a passion for great content, stellar written and verbal communication skills, and will enjoy working in a dynamic, highly collaborative, and fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the Director of Publicity include but are not limited to:
Essential Responsibilities:
• Sets PR strategy and protocols for Zonderkidz and Zondervan Teen products.
• Actively develops and maintains media contacts, including national, regional, local, and online to secure book coverage.
• Works with the marketing team, acquisition editors, authors and agents to develop and execute publicity campaigns with some travel to support book-related events/media tours.
• Oversees all facets involved with creating press materials and monitors breaking news for timely hooks relevant to the product.
• Tracks media activities and clippings for updates to the HCCP sales team, authors, agents, and internal personnel.
• Coordinates media training as needed for any divisional author in need.
• Manages outside public relations firms and coordinates the activities of other personnel involved in each project.
• Schedules author tours with both traditional bookstore appearances and off-site events involving third party partners.
• Leads Zonderkidz and Zondervan Teen publicity efforts at all trade conventions, including planning and staging author events
• Assists in managing the Zonderkidz and Zondervan Teen social media platforms, as well as its key brands’ social media platforms.
• Continually evaluates Z Blog Squad and Brand Ambassador programs to determine effectiveness and any needed changes
• Manages overall publicity budget and works with marketing counterparts and VP of Marketing to determine priority PR projects.
• Works with other HCCP publicists to coordinate group activities such as media trips to New York, media holiday gifts, media catalog mailings, publicity staff retreats, etc.
• Participates in weekly category team meetings as well as appropriate ad-hoc committees (i.e. convention planning and task forces)
• Participates in effective sales conference presentations and key account sessions (Lifeway, Hobby Lobby, etc.)
• Works with Senior Marketing Directors and Senior Marketing Managers to create integrated promotional and publicity plans and communicates plan clearly and in writing to authors and agents.
• Manages Marketing & Publicity budget wisely, timely, and comprehensively to guarantee Zonderkidz and Zondevan Teen titles are receiving the best value for its marketing and publicity investments.
• Accountable for projects delegated by VP of Marketing.
• Travels as necessary.
• Fosters a healthy environment of internal departments, external partners and vendors working together.
Qualifications:
Desired candidate will possess the following knowledge, experience, education and skills:
Knowledge:Microsoft office and Cision media database
Work Experience:Preferred candidate will possess 7+ years’ experience in communications role with an emphasis on public relations. 3+ year’s national media pitching experience is desired booking top-line media in both traditional and digital outlets. Previous supervisory experience is required.
Education:BA or BS in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field
Industry Knowledge:Knowledge of Christian publishing industry is desired but not required.
Skills:
• Desired candidate will be detail oriented, yet have a broad eye for the changing landscape of public relations
• Excellent communication skills, including exceptional writing skills
• Creative thinker
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Project management experience
• Track record of ability to generate creative angles and pitches
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment under deadlines
• A deep understanding of the digital media space, including bloggers and social media
• Ability to act as an ambassador and influencer to the media, agents, authors and other opinion formers to reinforce the reputation of HarperCollins as a major, innovative publisher
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Capable of managing budgets
• Effective copywriter
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an equal opportunity employer