Senior Publicist

ESPN Communications is seeking a Senior Publicist who will develop a variety of internal and external communications to inform media, fans, and ESPN employees about ESPN’s content and business. Every day, you’ll use a variety of skills to tell ESPN’s story, whether developing press releases and graphics, writing internal communications and helping plan internal events, managing internal and external websites, working with video producers, or pitching media. You’ll be challenged to blend creativity, sports media knowledge and journalistic instincts to produce industry-leading communications that promote ESPN’s content across multiple public relations platforms. You will also play a key role in preserving ESPN’s history through management of ESPN’s archives. Your organizational and project management skills will assist ESPN’s best-in-class communications team drive efficiency and results.

The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a team environment where collaboration, innovation and curiosity are core to how ESPN operates. You will report to the Associate Director of Communications and will work closely with the department’s publicists and Content Creation team. 

This position is based in Bristol, CT.

What Will You Do?

• Create content for ESPN PR Content channels, such as drafting Q&As for Internal and External platforms, highlighting ESPN employees including commentators and behind-the-scenes colleagues, writing/editing and building articles for ESPN’s internal and external websites, or distributing emails on behalf of ESPNPR. Assist in event management, whether for internal employee events or events involving media. Develop visual content/graphics for a variety of PR-run platforms (ESPN Press Room, ESPN Front Row, X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, PowerPoint presentations and internal digital signage and emails to Media), as directed by team leads. Serve as a point-of-contact for ESPN Press Room, connecting with vendor if issues arise and learning best practices and capabilities.  This comprises about 55% of the role.
• Collaborating with the department’s day-to-day leaders across a variety of categories and/or sports, performing publicity-related tasks for ESPN’s evolving business and content priorities, including setting up media calls, pitching media, developing press releases, and building graphics. The initial priority will be the launch of ESPN’s flagship product, with additional/future publicity-related tasks varying based on seasonal needs and emerging priorities. This comprises about 25% of the role. 
• Following training and exposure, this individual will play a key role maintaining ESPN’s archives - understanding the archives library/catalogue, serving as a resource for questions about ESPN’s archives, building the content in the archive, and engaging fans and media with interesting facts about ESPN’s history as appropriate. This comprises about 20% of the role.
• Follow ESPN Communications guidelines across channels, including an adherence to journalistic and department style guidelines.
• Sports happen on nights and weekends and irregular hours may be required, including serving “on call” for occasional weekends. 
   

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 2 years or more experience in public relations, communications, or journalism.
• Strong writing ability demonstrated through variety of examples – press releases, articles, social media, blogs
• Demonstrated knowledge of social media platforms, video and emerging trends in digital media
• Excellent writing, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Graphic design experience
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to think strategically
• Sound knowledge of the sports media landscape, including familiarity of current ESPN commentators, events and programming
• Curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking – new ideas are embraced here and we seek diversity of thought.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing and working on multiple projects across properties at once with meticulous attention to detail
   

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience in Internal Communications
• Experience using photo editing software (e.g. Canva, Photoshop)
   

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Journalism, Communications, Multimedia or related field or related experience
   

Additional Information

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