Publicist Job Description
Publicists are communications professionals whose primary responsibility is to ensure their clients receive positive coverage in the media. Most publicists work for a public relations agency and have multiple clients in various industries around the world.
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Job Responsibilities
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The publicist's primary responsibilities are to manage his clients' schedules, arrange photo shoots and interviews, pitch stories to journalists that will shed the client in a positive light and draft and execute press releases. Further, they maintain and build relationships with peers and members of the media, screen journalists by reading past material to ensure they will publish stories that the client will want in public and network with bloggers and fan sites to generate buzz.
Job Opportunities
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Most successful publicists start from the bottom and work their way up. The best place to start is through a college internship where students gain exposure to the industry by working in public relations firms, literary agencies or talent agencies. Oftentimes, they will be assigned to a senior publicist and work as an assistant, doing everything from getting coffee, sitting in on interviews and managing basic day-to-day administrative functions. This is an excellent opportunity to make contacts and network into bigger opportunities. Gaining membership into the Public Relations Society of America and the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations will also help the prospective candidate find the right job.
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Qualitative Requirements
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A publicist should have a background in journalism in order to succeed at her career. Excellent written and verbal communications is necessary as is an outgoing personality with a good sense of humor. The ability to build and maintain relationships is as important as having a great deal of patience. Personalities vary drastically, so being able to remain calm during times of crisis is critical as is the ability to think on your feet. The successful publicist is able to meet critical deadlines and have a flexible work schedule because a great deal of evening and weekend work is required.
Educational Requirements
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There are no formal degree programs or specific educational criteria to gain employment as a publicist. However, most currently working in the industry have at least a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or public relations.
Average Compensation
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According to Payscale.com, the average publicist working in the United States earns an average of $32,000 annually and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the industry as a whole should see an 18 percent increase in its workforce between 2009 and 2016.
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References
- Photo Credit stock.xchng http://www.sxc.hu
