Publicist

Whitney Museum of American Art•New York, NY

29d•$75,000

About The Position

The Publicist plays an essential role in the Museum’s Communications Department, taking primary responsibility for cultivating substantive press coverage and implementing strategic public relations plans for the Whitney’s exhibitions, public and educational programs, and institutional initiatives. Additional responsibilities include drafting press materials; oversight of the Museum’s media contact database; producing press coverage reports; and overseeing film, television, and photography shoots in the Museum. The Communications Department designs and implements the Museum’s external communications strategy to advance a positive, compelling, and nuanced story of the Museum’s mission and core activities globally. Through proactive engagement with print, digital, and broadcast media, it builds greater institutional awareness externally and drives audience attendance. The department also fosters a broader understanding of and advocates for the value of communications within the Museum.

Requirements

BS/BA college degree
3 to 5+ years of relevant experience in public relations/communications setting
Excellent writing, editing, and research skills
Strategic proficiency that leads to consistent, high value media placements
Strong record of working with journalists
History of successful, high value story placements across print, broadcast, and online media outlets
Ability to write clear and compelling pitch letters and press releases, cultivate strong relationships with journalists in local, national, international, and trade publications, as well as influential bloggers
Knowledge of reporters, bloggers, influencers who are relevant to the Museum, where they are, what they are currently covering and will be writing about in the long term
Expertise with Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel
Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Mailchimp, Raiser’s Edge, and media monitoring software such as Meltwater or Cision
Experience working with reporters and bloggers who cover NY metro news and culture
Experience with media database management/story placement monitoring and working with integrated online and social media campaigns

Responsibilities

Plan, create, and implement results-oriented press campaigns for assigned exhibitions, initiatives, and special events, in collaboration with internal and external Communications teams.
Write press materials, including press releases, media alerts, fact sheets, and FAQs.
Proactively meet with curatorial, education, marketing, content, and other colleagues to obtain the information and assets to create communication plans and maintain up-to-date resources for media.
Help maintain/cultivate relationships with media and influencers; create targeted press lists and research new media contacts using Meltwater and other tools.
Track and analyze coverage results; generate exhibition and project-specific reports.
Respond to and track requests for interviews, information, images, and other digital assets; serve as go to person for media inquiries, report back on new opportunities and results on a frequent basis.
Evaluate requests for photo and film shoots at the Museum for appropriateness; manage scheduled shoots, including coordination with internal stakeholders, contracts, scheduling, and onsite logistics.
Lead publicity campaigns for education programs, including family, K12, teen, access and community programs.
Assist with press events as assigned, including press previews and special events.