Senior Account Executive

TURNER, a full-service public relations and digital communications agency specializing in travel, outdoor, lifestyle, and wellness brands is seeking a Senior Account Executive with a passion for storytelling and media relations for the industries we serve. Candidates must have 5+ years of media relations experience with demonstrated results. Candidates with in-house backgrounds who are ready to try the agency world are encouraged to apply also. This hybrid role is based in New York, NY, requiring two days per week in office to work alongside the team.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Supports daily activities for designated travel/tourism/lifestyle accounts as part of a multi-person account team.
• Contributes 70 percent of time to proactive media relations, with a focus on consumer media and thought leadership across travel, outdoor, active, and wellness verticals.
• Maintains and leverages strong relationships with top-tier national and regional media across platforms; gets ahead of coverage opportunities.
• Plans, implements and manages client media missions and media events.
• Plans and executes group media familiarization tours in destination (some travel required).
• Understands clients’ business objectives and demonstrates an ability to ideate fresh, on-brand story angles to proactively pitch to media.
• Writes/edits client collateral, which includes but is not limited to, news releases, media alerts, photo captions, media pitches, bios, talking points and fact sheets.
• Assists in managing junior staffers media and client relations efforts, including editing media lists, pitches, hit announcements and client reports.
• Stays updated on media and influencer trends to incorporate into earned media strategies.
• Assists with team management, resources and deadlines.
• Assists with client relations through meetings, conference calls, events and day-to-day contact.
• Stays abreast of current industry news and trends, including how AI is impacting newsrooms and media relations efforts.
• Brainstorms new, fresh story angles and proactively pitches them to relevant media to support collection launches, collaborations and trend-driven narratives.
• Acts as first set of eyes for pitches prepared by junior staff.

Knowledge and Skills Required: 

• 5+ years of communications experience, preferably in travel/tourism industry and relevant experience with product brands through partnerships or standalone campaigns.
• Holds established national and regional media relationships, and the skills to develop new relationships using traditional and digital tools.
• BA or BS in public relations, journalism, communications or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient in AP Style.
• Previous experience coordinating media familiarization tours, media events and media missions.
• Possesses excellent writing skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Uses social media tools regularly and has experience integrating social media into PR programs.
• Proficiency using Cision and Muck Rack platforms.  
• Understanding of influencer vetting tools preferred.
• Interest in traveling both domestically and internationally as needed for clients (current passport and valid driver’s license needed).
• Passion for the travel/tourism/lifestyle industries and the ability to spot trends. Want to impress us? Tell us what you think is the ‘Next Big Thing’ (and/or, what is so, totally, cliché this year).

Other ways to WOW us:

• If you’ve spent some time exploring the world.
• If you have a personal hobby or interest involving anything remotely relevant to our client portfolio. Climbing mountains? Serious foodie? Building orphanages in Africa? So do we, and our authenticity with clients is important to us.
• You’ve published anything, anywhere – anything from a personal blog to bylined articles; please include the links.

About TURNER

TURNER is a public relations, social media and digital communications firm representing some of the world’s best destinations, resorts and brands. We specialize in tourism, travel and active lifestyle brands (“the places you want go, and the items you need in your suitcase”). We have offices in New York, Chicago, and Denver, with teams in Miami, Portland, and Charleston, to best service our worldwide clients.

Salary range varies based on experience, $72,000-$80,000. TURNER is an Equal Opportunity Employer.