(I) Public Relations Intern

SXSW•Austin, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

SXSW is seeking exceptional candidates for our Public Relations Internship position. This internship offers hands-on experience working within the communications team behind one of the world's leading events celebrating the convergence of technology, business, film and television, music, education, comedy, podcasts and culture. The Public Relations Intern will work across all of SXSW's major programming pillars, including Innovation, Film & TV, Music, SXSW EDU, Comedy and the SXSW Podcast Festival, gaining exposure to the communications strategies, media relations and event operations that support each area. Working alongside the SXSW communications team, the intern will interact with journalists, publicists, speakers, artists, creators, partners and other industry representatives while collaborating with teams throughout the organization. Because the internship spans the months leading directly into SXSW, responsibilities and learning opportunities will evolve throughout the season. The intern will gain experience in both the strategic preparation required to promote a major global event and the fast-paced execution of media operations during SXSW itself.

Requirements

Must be enrolled in an accredited university or college and live in Texas.
Must be a degree-seeking student, preferably interested in communications, public relations, journalism, events, media or related fields
Highly organized and proactive.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent attention to detail.
Strong research skills and curiosity about media, culture and current events.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Proficient communicating professionally by email, phone and in person.
Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in both virtual and in-person environments.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly.
Enthusiasm for learning about the wide range of industries and communities represented at SXSW.

Responsibilities

Gain hands-on experience corresponding with journalists, publicists, and creators while learning how to route press inquiries and coordinate interview schedules.
Develop skills in mapping the media landscape and building targeted contact databases across film, TV, music, tech, podcasts, and comedy.
Learn the fundamentals of researching, fact-checking, and drafting press releases, FAQs, talking points, and executive briefing documents.
Build practical experience in content creator management through targeted research, outreach, and campaign monitoring.
Experience large-scale event publicity by supporting on-site media center operations, media check-in, and live press logistics.
Learn how to plan and coordinate press conferences, talent interviews, and on-site publicity opportunities.
Understand the logistics of media access control by supporting credentialing and accreditation processes leading up to the event.
Master media monitoring techniques to track real-time news coverage, build internal recaps, and analyze post-event campaign metrics.