What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate, Public Relations position at Guitar Center?
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Public Relations Associate supports the execution of Guitar Center’s external communications and public relations initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Public Relations, this role helps drive brand visibility and media coverage through thoughtful storytelling, strategic media outreach, and operational coordination. This position plays an important role in supporting PR campaigns, events, media relations, and cross-functional collaboration.
Media Relations
- Draft and edit press materials including press releases, media pitches, executive bios, FAQs, and fact sheets
- Maintain and update media lists targeting consumer, trade, and business press
- Track editorial calendars and support proactive pitching efforts
- Assist in preparing briefing documents and interview prep materials for executives and artist talent
- Monitor press coverage and manage media follow-up
Events & Campaign Support
- Assist in the planning and execution of PR events, product previews, and retail activations
- Support logistics including event run-of-show, media check-in, guest lists, and on-site coordination
- Coordinate press gifting, sample tracking, and product seeding efforts
- Support select media events or activations as needed
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with internal departments including marketing, artist relations, merchandising, and store operations to ensure alignment on PR initiatives
- Support communication with external partners including PR agencies, media contacts, vendors, and talent representatives
- Maintain PR calendars, project trackers, and internal documentation for campaign timelines and deliverables
Reporting & Operations
- Track and compile media coverage reports on a weekly and monthly basis
- Support budget tracking, purchase order management, and vendor setup processes
- Conduct media and industry research to inform campaign strategy and identify new opportunities
- Provides constructive feedback and ensures that artist engagements are aligned with brand standards and delivered on schedule.
- Promotes a supportive and collaborative team culture that prioritizes professional development and resilience.
- Coaches team members through challenges, models composure during peak workloads, and partners with senior management to resolve operational hurdles
Strategic Support & Cross-Functional Partnership
- Work closely with the VP of Music Education to support strategic planning and drive key initiatives.
- Pilot and scale new experiences or enhancements that elevate the program’s impact.
- Identify opportunities to drive growth, streamline operations, and foster long-term student success.
Qualifications:
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field
- 2–4 years of experience in public relations or communications (agency experience strongly preferred)
- Solid understanding of PR fundamentals: storytelling, pitching, media monitoring, press kits, and event logistics
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively across teams
- Working knowledge of media monitoring tools and PR databases
- Enthusiasm for music, entertainment, and consumer retail is strongly preferred
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple artist activations simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
- Understanding of music culture, artist communities, and the evolving entertainment landscape.
- Flexibility to travel as needed for events, shoots, and artist meetings (Local and out of state)
Why join us?
With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music.
Pay Rate: $28.00-$35.00/hr depending on background and experience.
The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.
About Guitar Center
The Guitar Center Company embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. Our mission is to develop and nurture lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the joy that comes from creating music. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.
The Guitar Center Company operates through several business divisions. Guitar Center is the world’s largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment, with more than 290 stores across the United States. 2014 marked the milestone 50th anniversary of the Guitar Center Company as the organization continues to help people make music from coast to coast.
E-Commerce brands Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend and WWBW offer online sales of a broad selection of music products. The Music & Arts division operates more than 220 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students since 1952. AVDG and GCPro headline the enterprise audio-visual integration business, delivering a best-in-class commercial and residential customer experience.
Love this gig and want to apply?
Send your resume and cover letter today along with salary expectations!
Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request a reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.
Salary : $28 - $35
