About The Brand
BET Networks, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news, and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
Overview and Responsibilities
The Senior Publicist will work closely with the Director, Communications & Publicity to develop and execute internal and external communications strategies for BET Music and Specials. This position will play a key role in continually developing and upholding the company’s corporate, industry and consumer-facing reputation, and communicating strategy to key partners. The role will support in the development of creative positioning and strategy for consumer-facing talent initiatives, series and film launches and events. Additional responsibilities to include:
Develop and execute comprehensive and creative communications strategies for scripted and unscripted original series, as well as Award shows and specials
Liaise with production to coordinate on-set press visits for assigned programming or specials. Pitch and secure coverage across broad range of media, and respond to media requests for pre-premiere, in-season and bridge/evergreen stories. Proactively identify traditional and unique opportunities to maximize press coverage across multiple platforms
Track budgets for media campaigns
Create, write and disseminate press materials for programming including press releases, talking points, fact sheets, briefings, show synopses, pitches and media alerts/items. Identify and pull clips for strategic placement; make recommendations for review coverage
Cultivate and expand positive relationships with the media across broadcast, print (weekly, long lead), online/blogger (mainstream, niche), and entertainment trade segments, as well as emerging media
Spearhead communications with trade outlets to message production news stories. Pitch and secure seasonal network programming stories (TV previews and highlights)
Work cross-functionally to nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders to strategize and execute successful promotional campaigns. Work closely with show creators/executives, talent, production and programming executives, as well as outside PR representatives. Work across departments including original programming, marketing, legal, digital, social media, creative services, post production to ensure an open pipeline between content creation, promotion and publicity. Partner with social and digital teams to share assets, capture content and coordinate roll-out strategies across platforms
Plan and execute all aspects of press events including local/regional/national media tours, SMTs, press junkets, etc.
Join PR team in staffing tentpole events, escorting talent, managing red carpet flow, staffing the “top of carpet”, and filling in media gaps when needed
Basic Qualifications
Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in public relations industry
Minimum bachelor’s degree
Additional Qualifications
Excellent communicator with strong oral and writing skills
Interest in the entertainment industry, with particular emphasis on experience at a broadcast or cable network
Ability to support initiatives that require teamwork in a fast-paced environment and maintain a positive and professional attitude
Self-starter who can juggle multiple projects at one time under time constraints
Ability to create and follow timelines and be successfully detail oriented
Adept at social media tools and trends
ViacomCBS is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.
At ViacomCBS, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. ViacomCBS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.
Job Locations US-NY-New York
Brand BET
Function Communications/Public Relations
Job Type Full-Time Staff
iCIMS ID 2020-15336
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An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
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