Account Director, 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

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 Associate, Earned Media, Healthcare

Weber Shandwick is seeking a Senior Associate, Earned Media (Senior Account Executive equivalent) for its growing health earned media team and healthcare practice.

As a Senior Associate, you will be supporting earned media strategy and execution for campaign and product launches, news engine programs, disease awareness initiatives and more for our healthcare accounts. The ideal candidate has experience in or a passion for health-related work and a foundation of media relations skills. This opportunity is a fit for someone who is a strong writer, loves the thrill of a pitch, can manage multiple clients and teams, keeps a pulse on the media landscape and can bring existing and new media relationships to teams.

Job description:

• Serves as a key integrated team member in support of strategic earned media campaigns, including developing media relations action plans, goals and objectives, media targets, story angles and outreach approaches, in collaboration with and support from senior media relations team members
• Generates story ideas and drafts media materials (e.g., media lists, written content, pitches and pitching reports), conducts outreach, and manages reporter/influencer relationships and media opportunities to land coverage
• Research media topics, trends, important issues, and reporters in support of new assignments and projects, including new business opportunities
• Attends client events and manages on-site media and influencers at local and national events
• Maintains a keen interest in current news and industry trends; proactively shares insights with teams and clients to inform plans, strategies and activations
• Anticipates and proactively offers solutions to senior team leadership for executional issues specific to assigned programs
• Assists with client communication and manages detailed tasks with the account and earned media teams
• Develops and manages project timelines and weekly action plans to ensure all deadlines on client programs are met
• Identifies the development needs of junior staff and provides opportunities which allow staff members to reach their full potential

Requirements:

• 2 or more years’ experience in public relations at an agency or corporate in-house (healthcare experience preferred)
• Experience and interest in working with healthcare clients across industries
• Excellent communication/presentation skills; verbal and written
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills
• Ability to multi-task effectively and work within tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Salary Range: $68,000 USD – $78,000 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

 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.

Weber Shandwick is seeking a Manager to join our Integrated Media team within our Consumer Brand Practice.

We’re seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Manager, Earned Media with deep lifestyle and entertainment expertise to join our Integrated Media team in New York.  The ideal candidate is passionate about the latest consumer trends and has a deep enthusiasm for media outreach, pitching, and building relationships. You are deeply immersed in the worlds of lifestyle, entertainment, men’s lifestyle, and sports, and possess a robust network of contacts in these areas. As a Manager, you will have the opportunity to work on top-tier consumer brands, bringing creative stories to life and executing high-energy consumer events.

What You Will Be Doing

Shape Integrated Media Strategy:

• You will play an important role in shaping the media strategy across our diverse portfolio of clients, specifically in the CPG space. You will help to design integration across earned media—inclusive of traditional media (dot-com, broadcast), emerging media (e.g., Substack), and social media, by creating programming built to be shared and amplified across platforms.

Strategic Media & Influencer Relations:

• Serve as a key day-to-day client contact, developing strategic earned media campaigns, action plans, and compelling story angles that resonate with target audiences.
• Generate a consistent pipeline of story ideas, draft engaging media materials, and proactively pitch to land high-impact earned coverage, leveraging your network of media and influencer contacts.
• Develop and manage targeted media and influencer lists, incorporating a diverse mix of voices (influencers, bloggers, social media editors, creators, etc.) to achieve client goals.

Client Counsel & Collaboration:

• Provide regular updates and thoughtful counsel to clients, establishing yourself as a trusted advisor on earned media strategy and execution.
• Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business and objectives, working collaboratively with strategists and creative teams to deliver innovative solutions.

Trend-Spotting & Creative Ideation:

• Maintain a keen interest in current industry trends, constantly monitoring the cultural landscape, competitor coverage, and influencer conversations to identify opportunities.
• Analyze and distill meaningful insights from media coverage, sharing perspectives with both internal teams and clients to inform strategy.
• Support creative ideation on a consistent basis, contributing fresh ideas for evergreen stories and campaigns.

Program & Event Management:

• Develop and manage timelines, project budgets, and weekly action plans to ensure all program deadlines are met.
• Manage the detailed tasks associated with planning and implementing special public relations events, from media stunts to product launches.
• Anticipate and proactively offer solutions for executional issues that may arise during a program.

Team & Agency Leadership:

• Serve as a role model and guide for junior team members, helping to develop their skills and drive results.
• Actively participate in agency development initiatives and assist with new business opportunities as needed.

Competencies

• Business Acumen– align talent strategies to drive business goals
• Client Service– client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levels
• Proactivity – exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategies
• Collaboration– build strong relationships with internal team members at all levels across the organization
• Critical Thinking– ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical client and talent gaps and needs
• Conflict Resolution– possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex client, talent and organizational issues

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations
• 3 to 4 years’ relevant health/wellness experience
• Media relations experience

NYC Salary range: $74,000 USD – $85,000 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-JP1