Media Relations Specialist

The purpose of the media relations specialist is to assist the director of communications and senior PR specialist in growing awareness of the organization’s brand by building and executing key media relationships. This position works closely with the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever employee teams across the country to develop news stories and generate news coverage for the organization’s national, regional, and local efforts through proactive media pitching. This position will work closely with our conservation operations team to generate content (news stories, press releases, and/or blog stories) about new habitat projects, chapter starts, new hunter events, conservation partnerships, and new employees. This position will also work closely with the corporate partnerships and development teams to announce new corporate collaborations.

· Build relationships with key media contacts and identify opportunities to proactively pitch brand and corporate stories through various media outlets as appropriate.

· Regularly identify mission-driven storylines that are newsworthy to media professionals, both within the outdoor industry and beyond.

· Create news releases, website content and publication articles to help further the reach of the organization’s brand.

· Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of industry news.

· Work with the organization’s regional leadership to source habitat successes, unique projects, special event info, human interest angles, and other newsworthy content.

· Collaborate with the corporate partnerships and development teams to announce new corporate collaborations.

· Build and manage relationships with journalists across the country to generate earned media coverage.

· Assist in the development of the organization’s messaging and position statements.

· Serve as an organizational spokesperson, while coordinating interview opportunities for organizational leaders and regional experts.

· Assist in the organization of special media events, farm tours, hunts, press conferences, and interviews.

· Deliver exemplary customer service to members, prospective members, volunteers, and partners.

· Maintain the highest code of hunting and conservation ethics.

· Represent Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever at a wide array of public-facing events to recruit members and interact with the public, including the Minnesota Game Fair and National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic.

· Create new, state-level media lists for the organization to utilize for media outreach