PR Specialist

Leading International Tourism Organization – Los Angeles, CA

Provide key support and assistance to the Public Relations department in planning and implementing high-impact travel/tourism publicity programs generating maximum paid and earned coverage, ROI and publicity throughout the U.S. Employ media relations, research and database strategies that promote this leading international city as a premier destination to enhance the awareness and increase visitation from the U.S.

· Proactively pitch and secure positive travel/tourism media stories on a regular basis with an emphasis on consumer coverage on TV, in print and online.

· Writer press materials including news releases, pitches, alerts, fact sheets and talking points to amplify key messages

· Ideate, plan and execute group and individual press trips. Escort press trips as needed

· Provide informational assistance, including fact checking of media stories and fulfilling photo/video requests

· Identify and formulate partnerships with external companies to enhance destination appeal

· Outreach to secure television (scripted, reality, documentary, etc.), online video and film sponsorship opportunities

· Occasional international travel

· Provide administrative and public relations support to the PR department including, but not limited to:

· Update, maintain and optimize media contact lists on an ongoing basis

· Draft monthly PR reports

· Maintain departmental PR budget, expenses and ongoing invoices

· Pull editorial calendars for key publications and identify relevant opportunities

Job Requirements

· Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications or related field

· Minimum 5 years of public relations experience in-house or at an established PR firm, travel/tourism experience required

· Proficiency with Cision, Burrelles, Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint

· Established media contacts in TV, print, online with travel industry experience and contacts preferred

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience drafting and editing high quality press releases