Senior Publicist- NHL, Action Sports & W. Coast Communications

Job Description

This role is responsible for executing and supporting communications and publicity efforts for ice hockey (NHL, studio shows, hockey programming), X Games/action sports, digital, West Coast/Los Angeles Production Center and department diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Responsibilities:
• Support the development and execution of detailed publicity campaigns for NHL, X Games, and manage publicity and on-site presence for media covering marquee games and events;
• Develop press materials, including press kits, press releases, fact sheets, bios, plan press events, etc.;
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media members in various beats, including television, business, sports, trades, and non-traditional media (blogs, social platforms and influencers);
• Identify and create story angles, pitch them to various media outlets and generate publicity results;
• Coordination of on-air commentator, executive and athlete interviews with press;
• Establish pre-event and on-site communication with media and local host city entities and partners for X Games events;
• Support event media operations and logistics for X Games events;
• Support certain ESPN Digital initiatives including digital shows and ESPN Edge;
• Monitor industry news in print, online and on social media platforms and advise appropriate colleagues of important developments;
• Maintain press lists and create results reports related to specific initiatives;
• Build strong internal relationships to work collaboratively across teams and departments;
• Collaborate with designated PR reps from key business partners to drive shared goals;
• Embrace new tools and approaches to serve as a 360 communicator, serving both internal and external audiences. Generate story ideas and multimedia assets to creatively engage a variety of audiences online. This includes creating regular new material for ESPN's internal employee website, content for ESPN PR social platforms and ESPN Front Row, the company's outward-facing corporate blog;
• When appropriate, act as company liaison and spokesperson with media;
• Support Communications department on other West Coast publicity projects;
• Crisis PR and issue management support;
• Understand the demands of working for a 24/7 media company and be willing and available to work evenings and weekends

Basic Qualifications:
• 2-3 years' experience in television communications, public relations or media relations working with and pitching reporters beyond sports, securing story placement, managing and reporting follow-up and coordinating events
• Excellent PR, communications and writing skills
• Results-oriented and experienced in media pitching across spectrum of media (TV, print, online, radio, magazines, trades)
• Demonstrated knowledge/understanding of sports, media and news value
• National media contacts across TV (morning/late night), print, online, magazines, radio, trades
• Strategic and creative thinker
• Detail oriented
• Self-starter and positive personality
• Ability to handle multiple tasks on deadline in fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.
• Basic knowledge of TV ratings, sports cable TV and direct-to-consumer landscape preferred
• Flexibility, resourcefulness and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing and growing environment
• Must be able to travel for work/production/events

Required Education
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Communications, PR, Journalism or other relevant areas

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gxop34-18-118-1-232-42 in your application.