Assistant Account Executive, Consumer Public Relations

Job Description

Overview

Ogilvy Public Relations is seeking an assistant account executive to join our team. Our ideal candidate is an entry-level communications professional with high potential who is motivated to learn professional public relations skills while working on a number of high-profile consumer clients in her/his group.

Responsibilities

Account Management:

• Actively works to develop a broad understanding of the business by performing a range of well-defined assignments.
• Actively contributes in group and team meetings, as well as in brainstorming, developing and researching client programs.
• Is familiar with group’s communications plans for accounts and actively seeks to develop an understanding of clients’ business and account objectives.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of company vision, values and structure, including the full range of company products, services and capabilities.
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for getting involved and contributing to the account, team and agency.
• Gains knowledge of the full range of resources available throughout the company.

Professional Skills:

• Understands and effectively utilizes both internal and external research capabilities, including use of the Internet, social media platforms, and other existing and emerging communications resources.
• Monitors and analyzes media coverage and other relevant communications vehicles for clients and prepares reports.
• Develops daily monitoring reports that require minimal editing from supervisors, and are free of typographical and grammatical errors.
• Can spot errors in media coverage of the brand/client based on their understanding of the product/study outcomes
• Drafts news releases, pitch letters, case histories, by-liners, op-eds, etc.
• Able to develop fact sheet/backgrounders, first draft of pitch letter
• Understands how to position different parts of the client’s initiatives to different media audiences, e.g. blogs versus traditional news outlets, lifestyle magazines versus business verticals, women’s publications versus men’s publications
• Develops media lists and other reports (e.g., competitor, consumer, legislative or interest group analyses) completely and accurately.
• Proactively looks to source new contacts, new publications and blogs
• Affirmatively works to enhance skills and comfort at conducting media outreach, including networking and developing his/her own media relationships.
• Conducts editorial outreach and is gaining understanding of the dynamics of media relations.
• Able to develop editorial calendars, and pitch trade and appropriate consumer media.
• Arranges meetings and events, including press conferences, launch parties/events,, senior client meetings, and other special events.
• Coordinate with vendors, help to prepare competitive intelligence charts, develop briefing books
• Develops and proposes storylines and other tactical program elements that further clients’ objectives.
• Is learning and applying fundamentals of graphics, production and printing, video and broadcast, IT and emerging media.
• Identify vendors for specific program projects, secure price quotes, help team decision-making.
• Proactively works to increase presentation skills- when speaking to clients and at team meetings

Financial/Administrative:Develops and applies understanding of billing and budgeting processes.

• Keeping track of invoices and processing them, and ensuring they are included on proformas in timely manner
• Prepares well documented, thorough activity reports.
• Completes timesheets daily and otherwise acts in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Manages time for optimum productivity, understanding appropriate time commitments on projects
• Flags time management issue to supervisors in an appropriate time frame.
• Seeks billable and other assignments when workload is light.
• Meets billability targets established for the assistant account executive position.

Business Development:

• Participates in development of programs and new business pitches, for new and existing clients, as assigned.
• Will participate in at least two new business pitches annually.
• Helps with research including working with InfoServices, internet searches, third-party audits, media audits, identification of KOLs; logistical support, liaison between the new business team and Creative; attend brainstorms; gather and organize information as requested.
• Does new business work in addition to current client work
• Researches and identifies potential new business opportunities as directed.
• Routinely contributes informed opinions and suggestions, as well as creative and effective answers to client issues and needs.
• Is gaining knowledge of company products and other practices.

Initiative and Problem Solving

• Is familiar with, and supports achievement of, the company’s vision and exemplifies the company’s values.
• Operates with independence, but knows when to rely on own judgment and when to seek advice of supervisor and other team members.
• Recommends solutions when problems arise.
• Assists colleagues in problem solving.
• Effectively uses talents of colleagues in own problem solving.
• Proactively seeks and shares information with colleagues.
• Attends and contributes to team, group and office meetings.
• Works with supervisor to identify and address training, education and skill-building needs, thereby increasing his/her value to the agency.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in public relations or a related field
• Prior agency or in-house PR internship or working experience required
• Strong interpersonal communication skills a must;
• Strong organizational skills a must;
• Strong skills in research and analysis;
• Ability to work independently and manage day-to-day implementation of client activitie
• Understand client business and communication goals and the firm’s strategic plans to meet those goals
• Define client challenges, lead and participate in brainstorming sessions, and evaluate creative ideas from clients and staff