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Are you searching for a media relations manager job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a media relations manager. Feel free to use our media relations manager job description template to produce your own media relations manager job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a media relations manager.

 

Who is a Media Relations Manager?

A media relations manager’s job comprises designing and implementing policies and procedures for the organization’s relations with the media. Their responsibilities also include overseeing media communications, such as the creation of articles, press kits, news releases, and other content efforts.

 

What is the major difference between media relations and public relations?

The primary distinction between media relations and public relations is that the word media relations is more restricted. While working with the media is part of public relations, media relation is a specialization. As a result, employees in primarily media relations positions will spend their time handling media calls, locating and “spinning” important news items, and preparing press releases to keep the media informed about what is going on at the organization. Depending on the company’s need for free exposure, this could be an extremely busy role.

Indeed, media demands can be so specific that certain businesses specialize solely in this type of job. These public relations firms assist customers in getting their names out there and generating positive PR. If a crisis or unfavorable incident occurs, these companies can also assist by supplying the media with a location where they know they will obtain accurate information. As a result, it benefits the client by offering a centralized source that is not conflicting.

A public relations expert will handle more than just media relations. If the corporation decides to segregate its media and public relations parts, a public relations specialist may not contact the media at all. In this situation, a public relations professional may be in charge of outreach and serving as a liaison at special events, as well as helping to plan those events and even writing a company newsletter so that employees are kept up to date on what is going on.

Whatever the distinction between media and public relations is, these positions necessitate a high level of communication ability. Professionals in these jobs must frequently predict what information will be required and know how to obtain it promptly. Furthermore, they must do so in a way that does not reflect poorly on the organization. Most people in these industries have a Bachelor’s degree in communications or journalism. Some may have worked in the journalism sector, either in print or on television.

How you can build and improve media relations

• Always take the effort to find out which journalists are interested in your story. You may confirm this by visiting their websites and social media pages.
• Create a precise method for recording editor notes during team pitching.
• Use the fundamental rules of effective storytelling to select an engaging subject and interesting language (both spoken and written).
• Check your writing for grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors three times.
• To keep control of your relationships with key media contacts, utilize a public relations platform like Prowly.

 

Media Relations Manager Job Description

What is a media relations manager job description? A media relations manager job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a media relations manager in an organization. Below are the media relations manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a media relations manager job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

Media relations managers are responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Highlight press opportunities as they arise through growing issues.
• Create content for distribution through press releases, social media, websites, and other platforms.
• Check that important messaging corresponds with critical business strategies.
• Serve as the organization’s media contact and formal spokesperson.
• Hold press conferences and briefings as needed.
• Scan the media market to stay current on the latest media trends.
• Monitor and report on online and offline campaigns.
• Negotiate with media outlets to close competing deals.
• Create and manage the organization’s social media presence and profile.
• Advance additional projects to support new product launches.
• Make long-term connections with media influencers.
• Highlight press opportunities as they arise through growing issues.
• Distribute fact sheets, social media, news releases, photographs, screenplays, motion films, or audio recordings to media representatives and other individuals who are interested in learning about or publicizing the company’s actions or messages.
• Act as a collaborative member of a dynamic team of PR experts while collaborating on numerous initiatives with multi-discipline (marketing, community investment, legal, HR, product) teams.
• Create a strategic story-telling framework for several business themes such as innovation, environmental storytelling, health and nutrition, and associate profiling.
• Oversee the reporting of results.
• Identify, develop, and pitch strategic media outlets and bloggers.
• Create a positive working relationship with event planners to integrate effortlessly into the event process.
• Supervise and coordinate all national broadcast and print outreach, as well as internal communications.
• Mention, pitch, and follow-up on opportunities in traditional (national broadcast and print) and online media.
• Establish and maintain contacts with producers, reporters, bloggers, and other contributors.
• Prepare media relations materials such as news releases, pitch letters, fact sheets, and other information for pitches, reports, and proposals.

 

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years of experience in Media Relations or a related discipline is required.
• Additional experience in media relations, communications, or branding is advantageous.
• Possession of significant experience in crisis management and communications, as well as the ability to respond promptly and responsibly to negative media coverage.
• Possession of public speaking experience in situations such as press conferences.

 

Essential Skills

Trustworthiness: In media relations, your reputation is everything. Being direct, honest, and true to your basic ideas at work will not only help you sleep better at night, but will also increase your networks and job quality. If you want to make a name for yourself in the media relations industry, avoid alternative facts, spin, and mistruths.

Possession of Knowledge and research skills: It is critical to be able to conduct research and build expertise about a client’s product or service. Maintaining a current understanding of market developments, competition, technology, and client needs can help you have a successful career in media relations. Furthermore, conducting background research improves your ability to meet the needs of your clients without breaking a sweat, as well as speak fluently and effortlessly about your subject matter with journalists and analysts. For example, certain media relations businesses specialize in specialist tech areas, thus portraying yourself as an individual who knows the workings of technology and the fast-paced nature of the tech industry will make you a preferred contact over those who rely primarily on other abilities.

Possession of people skills: The ability to build a professional network is more than simply a soft skill; it is a necessary skill for success in media relations. Your ability to build relationships while exuding confidence and charm will complement your oral and written communication abilities, enabling you to be an effective media relations professional.

Ability multi-task:  In the high-pressure world of media relations, working on multiple projects at once will be part of your daily routine. This includes managing many clients with varying needs and timelines. The thrill of working in media relations will appeal to professionals who thrive and like working in such a fast-paced environment.

Key attention to details: Your accuracy as a public relations officer is vital to a successful and long-lasting profession. Accuracy and attention to detail are required for a media relations manager to represent their customers’ tales through the fast-paced and ever-changing media. When it comes to constantly analyzing and revising written content for customers, delivering a flawless edit is crucial, because even little errors can spell the difference between a campaign’s success or failure.

Ability to adapt to change: The media environment is continuously changing as individuals consume media more than ever before through apps and social media. As a result, as a media relations manager, you must be adaptable and agile in response to these changes.

Ability to think strategically: The media ecosystem is always changing as people consume media more than ever before through apps and social media. As a result, as a media relations manager, you must be adaptable and responsive to these changes.

Expert knowledge in Social Media Management: The development of social media has been one of the major catalysts for change in media relations and the media industry in recent years. Twitter and Facebook have not only changed media consumption, but they have also changed content generation. Media relations managers are increasingly developing material focusing on social media as a critical delivery element for a client’s campaign. The capacity to assess a campaign’s reach and overall performance while using social channels is a key factor in social media’s effectiveness.

Ability to Deliver presentations: This position necessitates excellent oral presentation and communication skills. As a media relations manager, you will be enthusiastically defining and explaining your creative ideas to clients, media buyers, and journalists who expect a professional and knowledgeable delivery of information.

 

How to Become a Media Relations Manager

1. Get Quality Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, media writing, journalism, marketing, or a similar discipline is typically required for media relations managers. Consider enrolling in a four-year university program to gain vital skills and expertise on your path to becoming a media relations manager. Because entry-level opportunities in this profession are competitive, consider doing an internship while enrolled in your degree program. Internships are an excellent method to obtain hands-on experience in media relations while also expanding your network of industry contacts. Internships can be found through your university, classified advertisements, or internet job forums.
2. Obtain your work experience: Consider applying for entry-level work in media relations after graduating from university and completing an internship. Working as a communications specialist, social media manager, media relations assistant, or marketing associate under the direction of a media relations manager is one example. Consider looking for entry-level work through your network of public relations professionals, your university or internship contacts, internet job search engines, or classified advertisements.

To become a media relations manager, you’ll most likely require three to five years of relevant experience. These entry-level opportunities are an excellent way to get valuable experience and insight that will help you grow your career in media relations.

3. Obtain your Certificate: While certification is not required, some aspiring media relations managers seek to obtain it to differentiate themselves from the competition and gain specialized knowledge and training. There are two main certification bodies to consider for aspiring media relations managers:

The Universal Accreditation Board: The Accredited in Media Relations (APR) designation program is offered by this organization. A bachelor’s degree in media relations, communication, journalism, or a similar discipline, as well as five years of relevant job experience, are required.

The International Associate of Business Communicators: The Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) credential is available to media relations professionals with a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least nine years of work experience.

4. Build your professional network: It is critical to cultivate good contacts with other professionals in your sector when pursuing a career as a media relations manager. Consider participating in discussion forums, community events, or social gatherings for media relations, communications, and marketing professionals whenever possible to interact with individuals in your field. The relationships you build at these events may lead to great job prospects in the future.
5. Train for management roles: For media relations specialists who want to rise to management positions, there are various training options. Consider attending seminars, training, and courses to assist you to build the managerial abilities required for a supervisory position in media relations. Companies will sometimes provide access to or pay for this type of education. If at all possible, consider this option with your employer.
6. Apply for media relations manager positions: Consider applying for media relations manager roles through professional contacts, online job search sites, or classified advertising after completing your school, acquiring appropriate work experience, receiving certification, expanding your network, and receiving management training. Promotion inside the organization where you are now employed is sometimes an opportunity. Consider examining internal progression prospects before looking for outside opportunities.

 

Where to Work as a Media Relations Manager

• Media companies.
• Technology Industries.
• Entertainment industries.

 

Media Relations Manager Salary Scale

As of June 28, 2022, the average Media Relations Manager’s salary in the United States is $103,570, however, the range frequently falls between $85,976 and $124,620. Salary ranges can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, including schooling, certifications, supplementary talents, and the number of years you have worked in your field. In the United Kingdom, the average compensation for a media relations manager is £44,207 per year or £22.67 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at £37,248 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to £60,000 per year.

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