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Freelance Media Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

J/PR

Senior Account Supervisor

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$88K - $93K/yr

... Media Relations * Nurture your network of editor, writer, and freelance connections for agency clients, as well as create new relationships, through ongoing introductions, targeted pitches, and ...

J/PR

Senior Account Supervisor

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$88K - $93K/yr

... Media Relations * Nurture your network of editor, writer, and freelance connections for agency clients, as well as create new relationships, through ongoing introductions, targeted pitches, and ...

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Freelance Media Relations information

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$52.5K

$93.8K

$119.5K

How much do freelance media relations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance media relations in the United States is $93,829.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Media Relations vs Freelance Public Relations?

AspectFreelance Media RelationsFreelance Public Relations
CredentialsMedia relations experience, communication skillsPR strategies, communication skills, media experience
Work EnvironmentClient sites, media outlets, remoteClient offices, media events, remote
Industry UsageMedia outreach, press releases, journalist contactsBrand management, reputation, stakeholder communication

Freelance Media Relations focuses on building relationships with journalists and media outlets to secure coverage, while Freelance Public Relations encompasses broader strategies to manage a client's overall public image. Both roles require strong communication skills and media knowledge, but Media Relations is more specialized in media outreach, whereas Public Relations covers wider reputation management activities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance media relations specialist?

To thrive as a Freelance Media Relations Specialist, you need strong written and verbal communication skills, a deep understanding of media landscapes, and experience in public relations or communications. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, press release distribution platforms, and CRM systems is typically required. Relationship-building, adaptability, and strategic thinking are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These abilities enable specialists to secure media coverage, effectively manage client reputations, and respond proactively to media opportunities or crises.

How do freelance media relations professionals typically structure their client communications and manage multiple accounts effectively?

Freelance media relations professionals often juggle several clients at once, which requires excellent organizational and communication skills. They typically use project management tools and maintain clear schedules to stay on top of deadlines, media pitches, and follow-ups. Regular check-ins, status updates, and transparent reporting help ensure clients are informed and engaged. Building strong relationships with both clients and journalists is essential, so setting clear expectations and maintaining proactive communication are key strategies for success in this role.

What is freelance media relations?

Freelance media relations involve independent professionals who help organizations or individuals manage their public image and relationships with the media. These freelancers pitch stories, write press releases, arrange interviews, and work to secure positive coverage in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and online outlets. Unlike in-house PR staff, freelance media relations specialists typically work on a project or contract basis, providing flexibility and specialized expertise to a variety of clients. Their goal is to build and maintain a positive public perception through effective communication with journalists and media outlets.
More about Freelance Media Relations jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Media Relations jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Media Relations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Media Relations jobs? The most popular types of Media Relations jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Media Relations jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Media Relations jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Media Relations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Media Relations jobs are:
Freelance Media Relations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Media Relations job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,829 per year, or $45.1 per hour.

Director, National Media Relations (Contract)

Prim + Co

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$85 - $150/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Director, National Media Relations (Contract)

As a Director, National Media Relations, you are the agency’s go-to expert for securing top‑tier national coverage for our luxury, hospitality, travel and culinary clients. You are responsible for elevating our award‑winning clients into the pages of the country’s most influential publications through feature stories, profiles, trend pieces and larger narrative opportunities.

This is a senior‑level contractor role intended for a highly connected media relations expert with deep relationships in cities such as New York, Los Angeles or other major media markets where national editors, writers and producers are based. You understand what makes a Michelin‑starred restaurant, James Beard Award‑winning chef or luxury hotel stand out to national media, and you know exactly how to position those stories to the right journalist.

You have an impressive track record of securing meaningful feature coverage in outlets such as Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Esquire, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, Departures, AFAR and similar publications. You are not simply pitching stories. You are cultivating relationships, identifying the right angles, advising the team on how to make a story more compelling, and opening doors that would otherwise be difficult to access.

You will work closely with Prim + Co’s leadership and account teams to identify the strongest national story opportunities for our clients, help shape pitch angles and media materials, and directly lead outreach for high‑value placements. This role is ideal for someone who wants flexible, project‑based work while remaining deeply involved in the luxury hospitality, travel and food media landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities National Media Strategy + Client Counsel
  • Serve as the lead strategist for national media efforts across a select roster of luxury hospitality, food and beverage, travel and lifestyle clients
  • Identify and shape feature‑worthy story angles for Michelin‑recognized restaurants, James Beard Award winners and nominees, luxury hotels, notable chefs, hospitality groups and experiential brands
  • Advise Prim + Co leadership and account teams on which stories have true national potential and where they should live
  • Create and course correct overarching national media strategies based on client goals, industry trends and media opportunities
  • Help identify when a story is best suited for a long‑lead feature, profile, trend piece, desk‑side, media visit, editor dinner or broadcast opportunity
  • Provide strategic counsel around openings, anniversaries, awards, chef changes, new concepts, renovations, partnerships and larger brand moments
  • Recommend new ideas, hooks and creative approaches to make clients more compelling to top‑tier media
  • Attend client strategy meetings as needed and provide expert guidance and recommendations
  • Travel for client needs, including media tours, desk‑sides, tastings, openings, events and one‑on‑one editor meetings
Media Relations
  • Personally lead outreach to national editors, writers, freelancers and producers across food, travel, hospitality, luxury and lifestyle media
  • Maintain and leverage a best‑in‑class network of media relationships, particularly with contacts at Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Robb Report, Town & Country, Esquire, Forbes Travel Guide, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and similar publications
  • Secure meaningful feature placements, trend inclusions, profiles, list placements, roundups and larger narrative stories for clients
  • Develop and execute tailored, big‑picture pitches that go beyond standard product or announcement news
  • Identify unexpected and creative media targets and story angles that can elevate clients beyond the obvious outlets
  • Facilitate and attend editor dinners, tastings, media previews, hotel stays, one‑on‑one meetings and press trips when warranted
  • Advise on and help coordinate desk‑side meetings and in‑market visits with key national editors and writers
  • Collaborate with Prim + Co teams on media lists, pitch language, timing and follow‑up strategy
  • Provide feedback and coaching to account teams to strengthen their national pitching skills and storytelling abilities
  • Stay current on editorial calendars, long‑lead opportunities, emerging writers and changes within the media landscape
  • Help the team understand what makes a story feel nationally relevant versus locally interesting
Business Development + Agency Leadership
  • Serve as a thought leader and specialist within the agency for luxury hospitality, travel and culinary media relations
  • Participate in new business conversations, proposals and presentations when a national media strategy component is needed
  • Help identify how national media relations can expand existing client scopes or support new opportunities
  • Advise on positioning, media strategy and storytelling for prospective clients
  • Bring fresh relationships, ideas and opportunities to Prim + Co that strengthen the agency’s reputation and capabilities
  • Act as a tastemaker and agency expert in the luxury hospitality and culinary space
  • Work closely with Prim + Co account teams while functioning as a contractor and specialist resource
  • Provide guidance, feedback and mentorship to account teams around national media strategy and outreach
  • Share best practices, media intelligence and lessons learned from successful placements
  • Collaborate remotely and efficiently with internal teams while maintaining strong communication and responsiveness
  • Help the agency continue to evolve its national media strategy and relationships over time
Other
  • And other tasks, projects or duties as required
Experience
  • College degree or comparable experience required
  • At least 10–15 years of public relations, journalism or related experience within the hospitality, culinary, travel, luxury hotel and/or consumer lifestyle industries
  • Must have extensive, proven experience securing national feature coverage for Michelin‑starred or Michelin‑recognized restaurants, James Beard Award winners and nominees, luxury hotels and hospitality brands
  • Must have direct relationships with national editors, writers and freelance contributors at top‑tier publications
  • Experience living and/or working in a major media market such as New York, Los Angeles or Chicago strongly preferred
  • Agency experience preferred
  • Must have stellar client and media references
  • Must have exceptional strategic thinking, storytelling and relationship‑building skills
  • Must have strong experience working with luxury brands, restaurants, chefs, hotels and experiential concepts
  • Experience with media visits, press trips, editor dinners and national long‑lead strategy preferred
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