Apply at:Careers | Walton County, FL - Home Page
Job Description
The Public Relations (PR) Associate will promote South Walton, FL as a premier vacation destination by generating incremental earned media though relationships with local, regional and national travel journalists and editors. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Associate will help develop and executive an annual public relations strategy to include message development and distribution, travel media development and hosting, media events and reporting.
Job Responsibilities
100% - The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the work load.
• Assist the Communications Director to develop and implement the annual public relations strategy, identify relevant performance indications, and prepare monthly reports.
• Embrace the Visit South Walton brand, brand standards, goals, and audiences to create tailored messaging.
• Demonstrate proficient writing skills including the ability to draft press releases, create newsletters, and construct content for e-blasts to national market.
• Actively pitch national and regional consumer (i.e., leisure) and trade (i.e., meetings/conventions; tour and travel) media to gain earned media coverage for South Walton, events/festivals and hospitality-related businesses.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with regional and national media. Fulfill media requests for photographs, factual information, etc.
• Coordinate and manage media familiarization tours, journalist visits, press conferences, direct-to-media pitch activities including out-of-state media trips or hosted media events.
• Travel to feeder markets for desk-side visits with media to increase awareness of the South Walton brand in those markets.
• Build positive working relationships with area businesses, event organizers, key stakeholders and VISIT FLORIDA.
• Work collaboratively with the Visit South Walton Marketing & Sales teams and contract public relations and marketing firms to promote the destination.
• Research travel trends, traveler perceptions, and implement findings into public relations efforts and outreach.
• Track/maintain publicity mentions, including use of media monitoring service.
• Assist in updating and collecting restaurant, tourism-related business information, calendar of events, and other data for the CRM database to keep the visitors guide and website content current.
• In partnership with the Community Relations Associate, develop relevant content to advance TDC community programs (Artist of the Year, Perfect in South Walton), local news/happenings, Tourism Development Council (TDC) updates, partnership opportunities, and beach safety to local stakeholders via our industry website.
• Serve as part of the Communication team support for the Walton County Emergency Management Partners Team to deliver emergency communications to media and/or industry partners when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Adhere to work schedule and attendance requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
PR Specialist - • Demonstrated experience working in Public Relations.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and technical presentation skills with an emphasis on copywriting, editing, and proofreading.
• Strong knowledge of AP style preferred.
• Proven track record of ability to work proactively with media, story placement and garnering media coverage.
• Exceptional public speaking skills are required, as well as the ability to conduct effective public presentations.
• Ability to meet task deadlines, submit monthly reports in a timely manner and track budgets for projects.
• Aptitude to create, manage and fully utilize media database program.
• Ability to understand and follow oral/written instructions and to exercise attention to detail in performing tasks.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while remaining detail oriented.
• Ability to work occasional weekends, evenings and emergency 12-hour shifts if the EOC is activated.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, courtesy, discretion, and initiative.
Qualifications, Training and Experience
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in Journalism, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, Professional Writing, English Composition or similar field is required.
• Two or more years of public relations experience working with media – print, broadcast, social influences and online digital publications – to include writing and editing as evidenced by a portfolio of work.
• Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) or hospitality industry experience preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
Application Special Instructions
Please attach proof of educational degree.
Branch: Tourist Development Council
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Department: Tourist Development Council
Position Type: Permanent Full Time
Closes On: April 12, 2017 at 05:30 PM CST
Rate of Pay: $38,928 - $49,237
Job Description
The Public Relations (PR) Associate will promote South Walton, FL as a premier vacation destination by generating incremental earned media though relationships with local, regional and national travel journalists and editors. Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Associate will help develop and executive an annual public relations strategy to include message development and distribution, travel media development and hosting, media events and reporting.
Job Responsibilities
100% - The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the work load.
• Assist the Communications Director to develop and implement the annual public relations strategy, identify relevant performance indications, and prepare monthly reports.
• Embrace the Visit South Walton brand, brand standards, goals, and audiences to create tailored messaging.
• Demonstrate proficient writing skills including the ability to draft press releases, create newsletters, and construct content for e-blasts to national market.
• Actively pitch national and regional consumer (i.e., leisure) and trade (i.e., meetings/conventions; tour and travel) media to gain earned media coverage for South Walton, events/festivals and hospitality-related businesses.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with regional and national media. Fulfill media requests for photographs, factual information, etc.
• Coordinate and manage media familiarization tours, journalist visits, press conferences, direct-to-media pitch activities including out-of-state media trips or hosted media events.
• Travel to feeder markets for desk-side visits with media to increase awareness of the South Walton brand in those markets.
• Build positive working relationships with area businesses, event organizers, key stakeholders and VISIT FLORIDA.
• Work collaboratively with the Visit South Walton Marketing & Sales teams and contract public relations and marketing firms to promote the destination.
• Research travel trends, traveler perceptions, and implement findings into public relations efforts and outreach.
• Track/maintain publicity mentions, including use of media monitoring service.
• Assist in updating and collecting restaurant, tourism-related business information, calendar of events, and other data for the CRM database to keep the visitors guide and website content current.
• In partnership with the Community Relations Associate, develop relevant content to advance TDC community programs (Artist of the Year, Perfect in South Walton), local news/happenings, Tourism Development Council (TDC) updates, partnership opportunities, and beach safety to local stakeholders via our industry website.
• Serve as part of the Communication team support for the Walton County Emergency Management Partners Team to deliver emergency communications to media and/or industry partners when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Adhere to work schedule and attendance requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
PR Specialist - • Demonstrated experience working in Public Relations.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and technical presentation skills with an emphasis on copywriting, editing, and proofreading.
• Strong knowledge of AP style preferred.
• Proven track record of ability to work proactively with media, story placement and garnering media coverage.
• Exceptional public speaking skills are required, as well as the ability to conduct effective public presentations.
• Ability to meet task deadlines, submit monthly reports in a timely manner and track budgets for projects.
• Aptitude to create, manage and fully utilize media database program.
• Ability to understand and follow oral/written instructions and to exercise attention to detail in performing tasks.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while remaining detail oriented.
• Ability to work occasional weekends, evenings and emergency 12-hour shifts if the EOC is activated.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, courtesy, discretion, and initiative.
Qualifications, Training and Experience
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in Journalism, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, Professional Writing, English Composition or similar field is required.
• Two or more years of public relations experience working with media – print, broadcast, social influences and online digital publications – to include writing and editing as evidenced by a portfolio of work.
• Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) or hospitality industry experience preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
Application Special Instructions
Please attach proof of educational degree.
Branch: Tourist Development Council
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Department: Tourist Development Council
Position Type: Permanent Full Time
Closes On: April 12, 2017 at 05:30 PM CST
Rate of Pay: $38,928 - $49,237