Junior Publicist, MS NOW Digital

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

The junior publicist will support the MS NOW Communications team with day-to-day publicity across MS NOW’s digital portfolio – including audio, website, social, product, and direct-to-consumer communications. The junior publicist will report to the Senior Manager of Communications.

The role requires extensive organizational skills, creative and innovative thinking, proven written skills, and a strong interest in tech, policy, news, politics, media, and public relations. The role will largely involve support for communications and publicity campaigns for MS NOW’s direct-to-consumer and subscription products, extensive audio portfolio, and promotion of MS NOW’s opinion writing, digital reporting, and content across social platforms. The role will also involve some administrative support tasks across the larger MS NOW Communications team.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and promote newsmaking interviews, op-eds, exclusives, special coverage, and campaign strategies for MS NOW’s digital portfolio – including audio, website, social, and direct-to-consumer products.
• Write pitches, create press lists and outreach to reporters tied to MS NOW’s digital and audio portfolio.
• Play key role in the promotion of, research and PR preparation for the launch of MS NOW products, subscriptions, and content.
• Manage weekly promotion and episodic support across MS NOW’s award-winning audio portfolio.
• Elevate MS NOW’s growing digital, audio and social portfolio across traditional media coverage, as well as digital-first and audio-first placements.
• Provide cross-team communication support for the overall PR team to align on priorities, schedules, announcements and events.
• Provide support with research projects, transcribing interviews and other assigned press projects.
• Develop and maintain press lists and key media relationships.
• Assist with facilitating and staffing various press events including interviews, press tours, or special coverage events as needed.
• Assist team in managing the MS NOW Communications’ social media account, including monitoring and drafting tweets

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 2-3 years of work experience in public relations or communications role. Digital, media and/or product communications experience strongly preferred.
• Must have a strong interest in news, politics and media.
• Experience with tech product and services communications.
• Must be available to work in New York.
• Willingness to travel and work after-hours on short notice.

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills.
• Should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and meet crucial deadlines.
• Robust understanding of television news, media industry, and digital.
• Willingness to work beyond regular hours dependent on breaking news, big interviews, events, and more.
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion in handling talent, confidential and sensitive information.

Salary range: $60,000 - $70,000

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.