Freelance Public Relations Specialist (Food & Beverage)

QNY Creative is seeking a freelance Public Relations Specialist with strong Food & Beverage experience, particularly with emerging and challenger brands, to support agency clients on press office and pitching activity.

You understand how to build awareness and credibility for brands through sharp storytelling, strong media relationships, and consistent press visibility.

Role Overview

Project-based freelance role responsible for:

• PR strategy support for Food & Beverage and CPG clients
• Press office management and media pitching
• Proactive story mining and narrative development
• Ongoing coordination with internal account and social teams

Role Description

This is a freelance to potentially full-time, on-site role for a Freelance Public Relations Specialist, based in the New York City. The Public Relations Specialist will be responsible for developing and executing effective PR campaigns for clients in the food and beverage industry. Responsibilities include drafting compelling press releases, managing media relations, devising strategic communication plans, and maintaining positive client and media relationships. The role requires collaboration with team members to enhance brand visibility and ensure consistent and cohesive messaging.

• Support development of PR strategies, messaging, and angles for emerging Food & Beverage brands.
• Manage day-to-day press office needs for assigned accounts.
• Draft press materials including releases, media alerts, briefing docs, and talking points.
• Build targeted media lists and keep them current and segmented by vertical and format.
• Proactively pitch stories, products, and founders to consumer, trade, and digital outlets.
• Secure coverage in priority outlets, TV and track results against goals.
• Identify timely hooks, trends, partnerships, and editorial calendars that can drive coverage.
• Prepare clients for interviews and support coordination with media.
• Collaborate with social and influencer teams on integrated outreach moments.
• Provide concise PR recaps and reporting to internal teams and clients.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in Press Releases and Public Relations to craft and distribute engaging, on-brand communications.
• Proven track record securing coverage for emerging or challenger brands.
• Expertise in Media Relations and Communication to build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Experience in Strategic Communications to create and execute effective, goal-driven PR strategies tailored to client needs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Confident and persistent pitcher, comfortable conducting outreach at scale.
• Organized, detail focused, and able to manage multiple accounts and deadlines.
• Agency experience preferred.
• Comfortable working on a freelance, project-based basis with variable workload.