Job Description for a Media Relations Company Spokesperson
A hectic and creative environment filled with quick thinkers and students of human psychology. That's just part of the environment for a media relations or company spokesperson. If you can frame a company or organization's strengths and products to the public and investors while managing media coverage, then perhaps this career fits you.
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Function
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A position as a media relations and/or company spokesperson falls under the larger umbrella of public relations specialist. In either job description, the primary responsibility is to work with media outlets to foster the best possible public image for the company or organization. The company spokesperson strives to control or manage the information that is presented to the media, and through them, to the public. Media outlets include newspapers, radio and TV stations and networks, trade publications and, today, Internet websites and bloggers.
Types
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The highest-profile example of a media relations or company spokesperson would be the White House press secretary of the United States. His or her job is to control the flow of information to the media and frame that information in the best possible light in order to garner widespread support for the president's initiatives and strategies.
In enterprise companies, the job includes developing plans to promote new products to the press and public. One may also be called upon to minimize damage to the company or organization from negative media reports, scandals and the like.
In large organizations, the profession may be focused specifically on media relations with other employees handling other public relations or marketing efforts. In smaller companies, media relations may be just one part of the job description of a different responsibility such as Marketing Director or Public Relations Director.
Many media relations professionals work in-house for one specific employer. Others may choose a career with a media relations agency that specializes in handling the job for multiple clients.
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Daily
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"Public (media) relations specialists draft press releases and contact people in the media who might print or broadcast their material," says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Sometimes the subject is an organization and its policies toward its employees or its role in the community. Often the subject is a public issue, such as health, energy, or the environment, and what an organization does to advance that issue."
This profession is known to be a high-stress, high-pressure position with tight deadlines and spontaneous developments. Self-confidence, research skills and an outgoing personality are important attributes. Media relations and company spokesperson's must be quick-thinking and extremely flexible with the ability to function under sometimes chaotic situations. The standard 40-hour work week is possible, but in some situations or organizations, overtime, night hours and weekend work is mandatory.
Education
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A career in media and public relations has no standard educational or experience requirement. College degrees in communication, public relations, advertising or journalism are normal starting points. Some organizations prefer candidates have experience in either electronic or print journalism. Many employers seek candidates with backgrounds in a field similar to their own.
Earnings
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for media or public relations professionals is $47,000 with the middle 50% earning between $35,000 and $65,000.
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