Senior Vice President, Earned Media Strategy
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Published
05/05/2026
Who We Are
Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency and we’re working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers, content creators, and we engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputations.
Senior Vice President, Earned Media Strategy
About the Opportunity:
The Weber Shandwick team is seeking a Senior Vice President, Earned Media Strategy with deep consumer media expertise to lead earned media strategy and execution for top-tier CPG, Food & Beverage, and Consumer Lifestyle brands. This senior role offers the chance to shape large-scale, integrated campaigns across multiple consumer categories and work closely with influential clients and agency partners.
The ideal candidate thrives on the thrill of a compelling story, excels at building and nurturing media relationships, and lives and breathes pop culture, media trends, and the cultural zeitgeist. You’ll be a key strategic leader driving brand narratives that break through and resonate culturally.
About You:
You’re a media powerhouse with deep, trusted relationships across top-tier business, lifestyle, entertainment, and news media—and a proven track record of leading earned media strategies for major consumer brands. You instinctively turn business goals into narratives that spark cultural relevance and deliver results, including elevating executive visibility through smart, high-impact storytelling.
Passionate about pop culture, food, and lifestyle trends, you have your finger on the pulse of what’s next. You know where brand and consumer conversations intersect and have successfully positioned brands at the center of major cultural moments, bringing creativity and cultural resonance to the forefront.
Fluent in both traditional and emerging platforms like podcasts, Substack, and creator networks, you stay ahead of the curve. You understand how and where to place top-tier stories—from thought leadership to breakthrough brand campaigns that capture the cultural zeitgeist.
A strategic thinker who thrives in high-pressure environments, you bring calm clarity to complex, integrated programs. As a collaborative leader and mentor, you grow talent, build client trust, and inspire teams to deliver standout earned work rooted in insight and cultural impact.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and coach a media team across a large portfolio of brands and corporate.
- Lead the development of integrated campaigns working alongside strategy, creative and account leads.
- Lead the development and flawless execution of comprehensive earned and integrated media campaigns for large-scale consumer clients.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with top-tier media across national, regional, and digital outlets—spanning business, lifestyle, food & beverage, mainstream news, entertainment, and commerce verticals.
- Craft compelling, culturally relevant narratives that tap into emerging food, lifestyle, and pop culture trends.
- Oversee earned media campaigns across various formats—from product launches and thought leadership to celebrity partnerships and high-profile brand initiatives.
- Monitor media trends and provide timely insights to clients and teams, identifying earned opportunities grounded in what’s timely, buzzy, and impactful.
- Counsel senior clients, executives, and spokespeople on media strategy, positioning, and media training.
- Confidently present strategic plans and campaign results in client meetings, inter-agency collaborations, and new business pitches.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure earned strategies are aligned with broader marketing and brand goals.
- Manage resources, timelines, and deliverables with precision, ensuring top-tier execution and a client-first mindset.
- Develop POVs regarding the evolving earned media landscape and share across network.
Competencies:
- Business Acumen—Align earned media strategies with client business goals and marketing priorities.
- Client Service—Build trust and rapport with senior client stakeholders and agency teams.
- Proactivity-Continuously pursue innovative media opportunities and storytelling approaches.
- Collaboration—Foster strong relationships internally and externally to drive cohesive campaign execution.
- Critical Thinking—Analyze challenges, anticipate media and client needs, and deliver insightful solutions.
- Leadership—Effectively mentor and guide teams while managing complex projects and expectations.
What We’re Looking For:
- 8+ years of public relations or communications experience, with increasing responsibility leading earned media for major consumer brands.
- Strong track record of top-tier media placements and well-established relationships across lifestyle, business, entertainment, and pop culture media.
- Subject matter expertise in CPG, food & beverage, lifestyle, and entertainment;
- Demonstrated success managing earned campaigns featuring Tier A talent, including celebrities, musicians, and influential creators.
- Skilled in developing and executing thought leadership, product launches, brand campaigns, and celebrity partnerships.
- Experienced in media training and counseling senior clients and executives.
- Able to integrate earned strategy seamlessly with digital, social, and paid media efforts.
- Proven problem-solver with strong judgment under pressure and the ability to make decisions with limited information.
- Excellent client service skills with confidence advising senior stakeholders and working within large, marketing-driven organizations.
- Effective communicator (written and verbal) with strong presentation skills and experience leading new business efforts.
- Collaborative team leader with a track record of mentoring talent and managing multiple fast-paced projects with clarity and control.
Salary range: $152,000 USD – $200,000 USD
Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.
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We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.
New York, New York, United States
Vice President, Earned Media Strategy
Who We Are
Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency and we’re working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers, content creators, and we engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputations.
Vice President, Earned Media Strategy
About the Opportunity:
The Weber Shandwick team is seeking a Vice President, Earned Media Strategy to serve as the central strategic leader for earned media. This role is pivotal in orchestrating integrated campaigns for top-tier CPG, Food & Beverage, and Consumer Lifestyle brands. You will be the key architect of earned media strategies, working in close partnership with cross-functional teams, influential clients, and agency partners to shape large-scale campaigns that drive cultural conversation.
The ideal candidate is a master storyteller and a natural collaborator who excels at uniting diverse teams around a powerful narrative. You will be the strategic hub, ensuring that earned media is not a silo, but the core of a cohesive, multi-channel brand experience.
About You:
You are a strategic integrator with a proven track record of leading earned media for major consumer brands. Your deep and trusted relationships with top-tier media are matched only by your ability to foster collaboration across internal teams. You instinctively translate broad business goals into sharp, compelling narratives and excel at uniting diverse groups, from creative and paid media to social and analytics, around a single, powerful earned concept.
Passionate about pop culture and media trends, you thrive on connecting the dots between what’s happening in the world and where a brand has the credibility to play. You see beyond the press release, envisioning how an earned-centric idea can come to life across paid, owned, and social channels.
You are a strategic thinker who brings clarity and purpose to complex, integrated programs. As a collaborative leader, you are adept at building consensus, navigating multi-disciplinary teams, and inspiring them to deliver standout earned work that is deeply rooted in insight and cultural impact.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the strategic hub for earned media, architecting comprehensive campaigns and ensuring their seamless integration across all marketing disciplines (paid, social, digital, influencer, creative).
- Lead the development and flawless execution of earned-centric ideas, partnering with cross-functional teams to build unified and powerful brand narratives.
- Translate insights from analytics, social listening, and digital teams into actionable earned media strategies that are timely, relevant, and impactful.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with top-tier media across business, lifestyle, food & beverage, news, and entertainment verticals.
- Craft culturally relevant narratives that tap into emerging consumer and media trends.
- Counsel senior clients, C-suite executives, and spokespeople on media strategy, narrative positioning, and integrated campaign opportunities.
- Confidently represent the earned media strategy in client meetings, inter-agency work sessions, and new business pitches, articulating how it connects to the broader marketing ecosystem.
- Manage resources, timelines, and deliverables with precision, fostering a collaborative and client-first environment.
- Mentor and lead junior team members, cultivating their skills in strategic thinking and cross-functional collaboration.
Competencies:
- Integrated Leadership: Excel at building bridges and fostering collaboration between internal teams (paid, social, creative, analytics) and external agency partners to create seamless, multi-channel campaigns.
- Business Acumen: Align earned media strategies with client business goals, demonstrating a clear understanding of how earned media drives broader marketing priorities.
- Client Service: Build trust and rapport with senior client stakeholders by providing strategic counsel that extends beyond traditional media relations.
- Proactivity: Continuously identify and pursue innovative, integrated media opportunities and storytelling approaches.
- Critical Thinking: Analyze challenges and data from multiple sources to anticipate needs and deliver insightful, holistic solutions.
- Mentorship: Effectively guide teams and individuals, inspiring them to embrace a collaborative and integrated mindset.
What We’re Looking For:
- 8+ years of public relations or communications experience, with increasing responsibility and a focus on leading integrated earned media programs for major consumer brands.
- Proven experience working within an integrated agency model, with a deep understanding of how earned, paid, social, and digital media work together.
- A strong track record of top-tier media placements and well-established relationships across lifestyle, business, entertainment, and pop culture media.
- Subject matter expertise in CPG, food & beverage, and consumer lifestyle.
- Demonstrated success managing campaigns that feature talent, celebrities, and influential creators as part of a broader, integrated strategy.
- Experience in media training and counseling senior clients and C-suite executives.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate a strategic vision to diverse audiences and lead new business efforts.
- Proven problem-solver with strong judgment under pressure.
- A collaborative team leader known for mentoring talent and managing multiple fast-paced projects with clarity, control, and a spirit of partnership.
Salary Range: $125,000 USD – $165,000 USD
Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.
#LI-GH
We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Freelancer Account Director, Earned Media
Who We Are
Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency and we’re working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers, content creators, and we engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputations.
Account Director, Earned Media Strategy (Consumer Practice)
Are you ready to shape the conversation for brands the world loves?
Forget what you know about traditional CPG roles. We’re seeking a creative powerhouse and media maestro to join our team, working across two of the most dynamic and beloved portfolios: Petcare and Snacking. This isn’t just about getting press; it’s about making a cultural impact for iconic brands that inspire everything from moments of everyday happiness to creating a better world for pets.
You’re fluent in internet culture, can spot a trend before it goes viral, and have the media relationships to prove it. From top-tier lifestyle publications and podcasts to the next big thing on Substack, you know how to craft stories that don’t just get placed – they get noticed. If you’re ready to bring the hustle, creativity, and strategic mind to a place where you can make a real difference, let’s talk.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
- Become a Master Storytelling: You’ll be the architect of compelling earned media campaigns. From ideation to execution, you will craft newsworthy angles and proactive pitches that tap into the cultural zeitgeist, ensuring our brands are always part of the conversation.
- Lead with Cultural Curiosity: Your finger is always on the pulse. You’ll be our go-to expert for what’s buzzing and what’s next, identifying real-time opportunities to inject our brands into trending moments with authenticity and flair.
- Champion Client & Campaign Excellence: Serve as a trusted senior counselor to our client partners, delivering consistently brilliant work. You’ll collaborate with a team of all-stars across the agency to bring large-scale, integrated campaigns to life with sharp attention to detail.
- Cultivate Media Mastery: Build and nurture incredible relationships with top-tier media across every vertical that matters – from business and entertainment to wellness, sports, and, of course, pet-centric outlets.
- Mentor the Next Generation: Part of your role is to inspire and grow our junior team members, guiding them with hands-on feedback and helping them develop into the industry’s next top talent.
What You Bring to the Table:
- Proven Experience: 6-8 years of experience in earned media and communications, with a track record of leading projects from start to finish.
- Media Relations Savvy: You have a “golden rolodex” and a deep understanding of the modern media landscape. Experience with CPG, Pet, or Food & Beverage brands is a huge plus!
- Strategic Mindset: You’re a critical thinker who can connect the dots between brand goals and cultural trends to create innovative strategies.
- Collaborative Spirit: You thrive in a team environment and know how to build strong relationships with clients and partners to get things done.
- Unstoppable Drive: You bring relentless energy, a client-first attitude, and an unwavering commitment to quality in everything you do.
Salary range: $75-$90 per hour
Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.
#LI-GH
We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Freelancer Senior Manager, Earned Media
Who We Are
Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency and we’re working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers, content creators, and we engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputations.
Senior Manager, Earned Media Strategy (Consumer Practice)
Do you live at the intersection of culture and candy?
This isn’t your average PR job. We’re looking for a Senior Manager to help drive the cultural conversation for some of the most iconic brands on the planet.
You’re a storyteller with a genuine passion for pop culture, a pro at navigating the media landscape, and you live for the thrill of landing a story that gets everyone talking. You understand what makes a brand moment go from a simple announcement to a viral sensation. If you thrive on creativity, have a deep love for brands that bring joy to millions, and are ready to make your mark, we want to hear from you.
How You’ll Create Moments of Everyday Happiness:
- Be a Culture Shaper: You won’t just follow trends; you’ll help create them. You will develop and execute innovative earned media campaigns that place our brands at the center of culture, from major sporting events like the Super Bowl to the daily conversations happening on social media.
- Master the Media Game: From drafting killer pitches to building real relationships with top-tier journalists, podcasters, and snacking bloggers, you’ll be the driving force behind our media strategy. Your goal: to secure high-impact coverage that feels both authentic and exciting.
- Become a Trusted Partner: Serve as a key day-to-day contact for our clients, providing sharp, strategic counsel. You’ll manage everything from high-stakes event logistics to program interplay, ensuring we deliver excellence every step of the way.
- Fuel Our Creative Engine: You’ll be a key voice in creative brainstorms, constantly bringing fresh ideas to the table. You’ll help us develop realistic and accurate KPIs that prove our impact and share our wins to keep the whole team inspired.
- Mentor and Lead: Guide and develop our junior staff, coaching them to become the next generation of communications superstars and fostering a team environment built on collaboration and gusto.
What You Bring to the Table:
- A Proven Track Record: 5-7 years of public relations experience, with a deep passion for pop culture, sports, and consumer brands.
- Media Relations Expertise: You have strong, existing relationships with media and influencers and a knack for turning those connections into incredible coverage. You’re fluent in everything from traditional media to podcasts and Substack.
- Strategic & Creative Thinking: You’re a master at crafting compelling story angles, developing integrated media plans, and optimizing campaigns in real-time to maximize success.
- Leadership & Collaboration: You know how to lead a team, manage complex projects, and work effectively with a diverse range of partners. Your communication and presentation skills are second to none.
- Unmatched Passion: You have an infectious enthusiasm for the work (happy to raise your hand) and a relentless drive to deliver results.
Salary range: $50-$70 per hour
Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.
Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.
#LI-GH
We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.
