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Publicity Director
HarperCollins
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Overview
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. 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 Rick Warren, Linsey Davis, Candance Cameron 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
Essential Responsibilities:
• Sets PR strategy and protocols for Zonderkidz.
• 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 publicity efforts at all trade conventions, including planning and staging author events
• Assists in managing the Zonderkidz 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 Zondervan 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
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
Additional Skills:
Must be innovative, encouraging, flexible and a team player with a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.