Children’s and young adult publicist, Sydney

Allen & Unwin

Allen & Unwin (A&U), Australia’s leading independent book publisher, are seeking a children’s and young adult publicist to join our dynamic team. The purpose of this role is to maximise the sales of Allen & Unwin’s children’s and young adult titles by gaining as much relevant media exposure for the book and author as possible.

Key responsibility areas:

• Talent management: Key to this role is the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships founded in trust and respect with A&U authors. Ensure clear and consistent communication about expectations and results.
• Publicity campaigns: Devise and implement multiple publicity campaigns simultaneously for assigned books and authors. Distillation of key messages of author and book to ensure wide variety of coverage. Work closely with publicity & marketing director to plan and develop more complex campaigns.
• Media coaching: Where necessary working with talent to land key messages, talking points and general media and event preparedness. Work closely with publicity director to plan and develop more complex messages.
• Event management: Accompany authors on tours, launches, literary festivals and school events as necessary. The role involves some travel and additional evening and weekend work. At such times, time in lieu or ‘toil’ will be accrued.
• Industry relationships: Develop and maintain strong working relationships with children’s media, booksellers, festivals and event organisers.
• Media knowledge: Maintain a sound understanding of the Australian media landscape as well as audience habits and behaviors. Understanding of key audience demographics and develop targeted PR pitches accordingly. Share key learnings, good contacts and opportunities with the broader team. Develop specific understanding and relationships with children’s and educational media.
• Influencer engagement: Solid understanding of working with influencers, including development of targeted engagement on advocacy opportunities.
• Internal communications: Internal communication of all publicity results to relevant parties including authors, publishers and the sales team.
• Manage tour logistics: Arrange travel, accommodation, airport transfers and all other details for assigned author tours and other agreed author travel commitments.
• Database management: Ongoing maintenance of the publicity database, events schedule, annual pitch document and festival spreadsheet as necessary.
• Produce publicity assets: Including but not limited to media releases, tour schedules, pitch documents and other relevant materials. Contribute to publicity team comms and newsletters. Work closely with publicity manager and publicity director to plan and develop more complex materials.
• Allen & Unwin At all times represent A&U in the highest professional standard to media, partners and talent.
• Any other duties as directed by the publicity & marketing director.

Personal effectiveness

• Team player, share industry intelligence, willingness to participate in team sessions, regular brainstorming and problem solving. Work in a positive and collaborative way.
• Work autonomously to manage campaigns and budgets. Show initiative and a hands-on approach to ongoing team projects.
• Exceptional time management skills. All duties carried out with accuracy, efficiency and timeliness.
• Good understanding of the Australian media landscape and specifically children’s media.
• Read! We love well informed, enthusiastic readers.
• Creative problem solving, an ability to think outside of the box to generate coverage.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills.
• Treat all colleagues, customers and suppliers with respect.
• Demonstrate a reliable and flexible approach to workload and deadlines.

Required qualifications, experience and/or skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or equivalent
• Previous experience in publicity, bookselling or children’s publishing preferred
• Experience within the publishing industry preferred
• Above average verbal and written communication skills
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills.

Please email your application by Monday, 12 December to:

Peri Wilson, publicity & marketing director, A&U

jobs@allenandunwin.com

Category: Jobs