PR Manager & Copywriter

SUMMARY:
Travel & Touring Company based in Sandton is looking for a PR Manager (UK & SA) & Copywriter to work within the Marketing & Communication department to build, grow and manage the public reputation, specifically managing, driving and overseeing the Public Relations for the United Kingdom and South Africa.
 
This includes the management of the PR Agency in based in London and directly managing media relations for South Africa – strategically driving targeted publicity opportunities to promote the Member’s Club and driving sales to the SADC market in conjunction with the Member’s Club Manager.
 
Set, oversee and drive the annual PR strategies for these markets in line with the overall business goals and marketing objectives to grow brand awareness and ultimately drive sales and demand; focusing on key profit-making camps, new product launches and impact as brand differentiators. Oversee the UK PR agency and South African media opportunities to secure quality coverage in targeted A-list publications across all print and digital media.

POSITION INFO:
Duties:
 
Set annual PR Strategy for the UK and South Africa, aligning it with overall business, marketing and PR goals.
Manage the UK PR agency to ensure the execution of the strategy ‘on-time and in-full’, including daily communication, monthly status calls and formal six-month reviews.
Ongoing media relations, meetings, events, press release distribution and pitches.
Oversee media bookings with the Media Reservations Team to ensure they are strategically and professionally planned to drive the company’s PR and media relations, growing A-list media targets and high-end media coverage in these markets.
Distribution of coverage received and compiling monthly progress reports.
Leverage sponsorship /competition opportunities.
Create and write compelling and breakthrough press releases and other content to support all of our relevant products and services, continuing to build coverage and brand reputation to drive growth.
Edit and fact check externally produced copy for media.
Ensure our media content continually evolves for relevance in a digital world, driving traffic and leads to our website.
Identify newsworthy angles and story ideas, writing compelling, interesting and industry-leading content for various niche journalists and markets.
Conduct interviews with business stakeholders to gain insights for content angles.
Research new award opportunities for your markets and work with the PR team to ensure that the business, its people and individual products are internationally recognised as pioneering the way in conservation and hospitality.
Strategize annual award submissions for your relevant markets (peer, trade, consumer and sustainability awards) in consultation with the Head of PR and aligning with the overall plan. Assist with applications where applicable.
Contribute to the broader marketing team through day-to-day liaison aligned to the business values, and marketing strategy.
Work closely with the Sales Managers and external Sales Representatives in your markets to ensure that the PR and Sales strategies are aligned.
Ensure that brand values are consistently and accurately portrayed throughout the business, driving brand consistency across all company communications.
Contribute to regular workshops for marketing, brand and impact strategies, and assist with any reasonable task related to the function of the Marketing, Communication and PR teams.
 
Requirements:
 
Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or PR Communications.
At least 10+ years of experience in corporate communications or PR
At least 3  years’ experience within the travel and/or conservation tourism sector.
Wide knowledge of the safari industry and luxury tourism a plus.
Exposure to a range of different marketing channels, both offline and online.
Excellent analytical and communication skills, both written and oral.
Excellent understanding of PR and media relations and the ability to source, build, nurture and grow new contacts from your identified markets.
Ability to think and write strategically and conceptually to develop innovative story angles, with a particular emphasis on crafting compelling press releases.
Confidence, energy and dynamism with the ability to work with an array of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in creating briefs and working with other marketing departments to create collateral required for high-end media and other external comms requirements.
Strong attention to detail and creative understanding of what makes a good story while adhering to brand guidelines and key messages.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Strong eye for detail and passionate about ensuring only the best work leaves the door.
A passion for current trends coupled with a deep understanding of PR and corporate communications.