Top Public Relations Executive jobs in Arlington Heights, IL

WHO WE ARE:

myWHY Agency is a black-owned, women-led integrated marketing and creative agency founded by four-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer Emerald-Jane Hunter. Our team has a record of developing strategic marketing campaigns that grab attention, demand interaction and generate long-term, impactful value.

With a client list that includes organic and natural CPG brands, health and wellness companies, BIPOC- and women-owned businesses, large corporations and nonprofit organizations, myWHY is focused exclusively on serving purpose-driven organizations and game-changing industry leaders. We also strive to empower our clients to be aware, authentic, and accountable–ensuring their initiatives and practices are consistent with diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) commitments, messaging, and positioning, as we consider D.E.I. to be core to our agency’s DNA.

When collaborating with clients, we always make sure to view our partnership and the end-resulting deliverables through the lens of our “B.R.A.V.E.” values:

Be real, authentic, and transparent.

Respect all team members, viewers and communities.

Ask questions–focus on what could be, not what has already been done.

Value details.

Empower each other to create marketing with integrity and be the change we wish to see in the world.

WHO YOU ARE:

You are a resourceful and passionate self-starter. You are a proactive and curious individual who is energized by working in a team environment and is committed to delivering every detail with precision for the clients you support. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• You are passionate about public relations and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• You desire to develop and nurture relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to secure media placements for clients across various platforms.
• You have a “can-do" attitude and are willing to take on new tasks and projects. You ask questions when needed and approach your work with curiosity and interest.
• You enjoy supporting team members and respond positively to client and team requests. You proactively ask team members when you need help, expertise and counsel.
• You are a true multitasker, delivering work on or ahead of schedule, alerting team members in advance if a deadline is at risk and striving for consistency and accuracy in all deliverables you and the team manage.
• You are reliable and organized, and you are a master at covering monitoring, tracking, and reporting. If needed, you are fearless in requesting help prioritizing your workload when faced with conflicting deadlines.
• Open to feedback, you respond positively to new ideas and ways to approach your tasks.
• You have a passion for advancing D.E.I. efforts for brands and businesses.

WHAT YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD LOOK LIKE:

General Account Execution Management:

• Update and manage the weekly status reports to prepare for regularly scheduled client status calls and assign the next steps after the calls.
• Ensure that all client requests and communications are responded to promptly and appropriately.
• Serve as a role model for junior teammates and ensure they meet deadlines, execute client-ready work, and be aware of and work in support of account objectives.
• Monitor bi-weekly results and goals to ensure the account remains on track against objectives.
• Support multiple client teams with media relations and execution of PR programs enabling all projects to be on time, on budget and on strategy.
• Support the senior publicist in ensuring the team meets/exceeds client expectations and agency needs.
• Provide backup support to senior team members by providing daily news reports and maintaining punctual, regular, and predictable meeting attendance.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment, with a spirit of cooperation, volunteering to take the first step in new projects (e.g., summarize meeting notes or conduct research for missing information).
• Prepare for and support regularly scheduled client status calls, prepare next steps reports, and update status reports. Close the loop on assignments and notify team members when action items are complete.
• Create and manage weekly media trackers and wrap-up reports for assigned client accounts.
• Respectfully take direction from supervisors and managers, communicating effectively and remaining calm and courteous under pressure.

Media Relations

• Execute a significant share of media outreach/pitch efforts. You’ll be responsible for consistently pitching to the media on behalf of clients and working collaboratively with senior team members to ensure we’re meeting media placement goals for all client accounts.
• This includes researching and developing contact lists.
• Aid in creating annual, seasonal, and monthly outreach plans, ensure clients are onboarded with efforts, and brief teams on needs.
• Be on-site for all client media appearances where applicable.
• Develop pitches, press releases, and other outreach collateral as needed by the senior team and respond to daily HERO/QWOTED and incoming media requests.
• Monitor long-lead editorial calendars and seasonal story angles to ensure your clients are being included as needed.
• Monitor for, research and present clients with paid influencer engagements and other pay-for-play opportunities, managing client budgets as relevant.
• Monitor and report on client coverage and fact-check stories to ensure accuracy.
• Work with clients annually and as necessary to develop hits/impressions goals and work with the team to create and deliver comprehensive monthly reporting.
• Conduct proactive and reactive media outreach and pitching on behalf of agency clients.
• Monitor, track and report editorial and social media coverage for multiple client accounts—fact-check stories to ensure accuracy. Proactively find and flag stories while monitoring media, suggesting opportunities to client teams.
• Identify pitching opportunities, including proactive review of publications and editorial calendars, to determine trends and strategic client opportunities for placement. Write and proofread media materials and pitches and develop backgrounders and fact sheets as assigned.
• Develop accurate lists of the most appropriate journalists and bloggers for outreach and maintain and update existing media lists. Develop relationships and engage with media and influencers via social media as needed.
• Help promote client events by identifying and reaching out to key groups and individuals and posting to event listing websites. Assist in researching sponsorship and speaking opportunities for clients.

Awards

• Monitor and assess annual awards and facilitate agency and client discussions on which clients and products to submit and to which awards programs.
• Ensure clients are kept abreast of awards submissions and results.

THE QUALIFICATIONS YOU BRING TO OUR TEAM:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in related fields required.
• 4 years of direct experience (beyond internships) in public relations with an emphasis on media relations (preferred).
• Pitch and press release writing skills, copy development and general excellence in written communications.
• A verifiable and solid Rolodex of contacts within the media industry is needed.
• Understands how to communicate and present to senior-level management team members and clients.
• Experienced in pitching media and maintaining media rapport.
• Open-minded to problem solving balanced with exceptional follow-through and execution skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Suite, including Gmail and Google Sheets/Documents. Media databases, project management software (Asana), social tracking tools.
• Excellent organizational and research skills are a must.

THE PERKS WE SHARE WITH YOU:

Medical Benefits Package—vision, dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, disability insurance

PTO and Mental Health Days - Separate mental health days from PTO, which includes vacation/sick time/and 13 paid time off for holidays

Matched 401K

Flexible working arrangements (i.e., primarily working from home), occasional travel for client visits and meetings

myWHY Agency, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We seek applicants of diverse backgrounds and hire without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $60,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Location:

• Chicago, IL (Required)

Work Location: Remote