Potomac Flacks

Heritage’s Izzy Ortega Named Communications Director at NSCW

Izzy Ortega, formerly of The Heritage Foundation, joins National School Choice Week (NCSW) as Director of Communications where he will oversee all media and public relations activities.

NSCW shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for all children, organizing a week-long celebration every January. NSCW 2014 featured 5,500+ events, bringing together unlikely bedfellow across the political spectrum like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).

Ortega is a graduate of Hamilton College and a native of New York, NY.  (PF tipster)

DREAM JOB OF THE WEEK: Washington Redskins, Social Media Coordinator (Ashburn, VA)

The Washington Redskins are seeking a creative and qualified individual to support the Digital Media department, with the primary focus on the day to day content on the Redskins social media platforms and cultivate fan interaction, engagement and discussion around the Redskins team brand.

The right individual must take great pride in their work and pay strong attention to detail. Applicant must have a strong understanding of social media platforms and digital trends. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, while keeping organized and maintaining high standards in all work. Needs to be able to work as part of a team or individually. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Produce unique daily content and initiate fan discussion and engagement via social posts on various Redskins social media platforms, including: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pintrest, Reddit, foursquare and UStream
• Develop and execute initiatives to drive member-generated content, increase community participation and add value to the online community experience
• Create and manage sponsored pages and posts, including social contests, sweepstakes and promotions
• Provide analytics to communicate fan engagement and activity to both internal and external clients through daily, weekly and monthly reports in order to help track success and areas of improvement for all social initiatives
• Identify and drive opportunities for emerging social platforms and potential new vendor relationships that can add value to social sites
• Manage and monitor media channels for fan commenting, spam and content issues
• Research ways to improve the Redskins social media platforms and integration on Redskins.com and other team microsites
• Manage content updates and monitor functionality on the Redskins Team Mobile App and Redskins Cheerleader Mobile App, including rosters, photos, videos, promotions and push messaging
• Responsible for pushing out mobile text alerts and maintaining mobile database
• Help to identify Redskins fan groups and encourage displaced fans to join Redskins Meetup groups, contribute content to Redskins Rally, and participate through various social media platforms
• Manage and grow the Redskins Rally network of bar/restaurant owners, plus assist with updates to RedskinsRally.com and serve as point of contact for existing Redskins bars and fan groups
• Assist with planning, promotion and execution of Redskins Rally events, which may include attendance on Sundays in season, and distribution of Redskins Rally Welcome Kits and prizing to all network affiliates
• Assist with documenting various Redskins events and uploading pictures, videos and blog content onto Redskins.com and the team social sites.
• Assist with other duties as necessary

Qualifications:

• Thorough understanding and familiarity of primary social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Must possess superior writing skills and editorial judgment
• Detail-oriented and strong organization and project management skills
• Polite, positive, self-starter who works well with others
• Strong knowledge of and passion for both football and social media
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Actively follow new technology trends and apply to Redskins digital strategy where appropriate
• Basic familiarity with video and photo file formats
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) are required; proficiency in HTML, CSS, Adobe Photoshop, and video editing (iMovie or FinalCut Pro) is preferred 

Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree in Sports Management, Communications, Journalism, or related and appropriate majors
• Must have at least 1-2 years’ experience working in a digital media role with a high-profile brand
• Must provide own means of transportation to Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia
• Must be willing and able to work non-traditional hours in non-traditional settings during peak times of the year

The Washington Redskins offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. If you wish to become a part of this exciting, fast paced organization and you meet the requirements listed above, please apply.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TO APPLY: Visit this page. (PF reporting)

Spokesman Zirklbach Leaves AHIP for PhRMA

Roll Call’s Jason Dick reports that Robert Zirkelbach, the spokesman and Vice President of Strategic Communications for America’s Insurance Plans (AHIP), is leaving April 23 to join the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) as Senior Vice President of Communications.

As Roll Call reported, “Zirkelbach was in charge of helping AHIP and its head, Karen Ignagni, navigate some of the most treacherous policy and political waters in recent history: the debate over the Affordable Care Act. AHIP worked hand-in-glove with the Obama administration to make sure insurers stayed on board, and Ignagni and her organization took some major licks. The place he’s heading, PhRMA, also got criticized by those skeptical and opposed to Obamacare for doing much the same.”

Zirkelbach was previously Press Secretary for Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA).  He is a 200 graduate of Central College.

Zirkelbach’s first day at PhRMA is May 5.

AHIP Deputy Press Secretary Clare Krusing will take over for Zirkelbach “for the meantime,” according to Roll Call.  (Roll Call & PF reporting)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Human Rights Campaign, Communications Director

Position Summary: The Communications Director is a regular, full-time position which reports directly to the Vice President for Communications and Marketing and is based in Washington, DC.  The Communications Director’s workload is focused on ensuring HRC’s messages are placed in the national print and electronic media and managing a team of communication professionals.  The Communications Director will work with the VP to craft media strategy and proactively pitch stories, develop salient, appropriate and creative messages, implement long and short-term communications strategies, and place editorials and op-eds.  Skills for responding to breaking news and ensuring placement are crucial. 

Position Responsibilities: The Communications Director will work with the VP to create and implement the strategic direction and vision of the department.  This position will also manage and direct the work of the staff that will assist in implementing these communications strategies.  In direct consultation with the VP and executive management the Communications Director will provide communications and media expertise to program areas throughout HRC.

Specific duties of the position are as follows:

Communications Strategy: Create and understand a holistic organization communication strategy that relies on earned media but also incorporates paid media, membership communication and online/social media.

Research and message development: Guide quantitative and qualitative message research that benefits the organization or particular issue area and develop messages and taking points based on that research.  The Director will ensure that HRC materials across program areas and departments reflect organizational positions and are framed persuasively.

Effective media relations: Develop media relations strategies around issues and HRC programs and develop tactics to effectively and successfully pitch the placement of stories.  In addition, develop strategies to ensure HRC’s placement in breaking news stories.  Strong and demonstrated relationship-building skills and established relationships with Washington press corps are required.  Additionally, a thorough understanding of and contacts within LGBT new media are important.

Place editorials and op-eds: Develop plans to draft and place op-eds and pitch editorial on a variety of issues important to the LGBT community.  Strong and proven writing skills and the ability to seize upon timely events is crucial.

Place spokespeople on radio and television: Build and maintain relationships with key producers and reporters on network and cable television and radio programs to ensure placement of HRC spokespeople.  Strong ability to articulate salient messages and an understanding of effective strategies for electronic media placement are crucial.

Media Relations Tactics: A strong ability to develop and implement media relations strategies, such as press conferences, is vital.  

Spokesperson: A strong and demonstrated ability to act as an on-the-record and background source is necessary.

Outstanding writing skills: Candidate must have excellent writing skills, including the ability to write speeches, opinion pieces, press releases and other materials, and be able to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines.

Team and resource management: As the primary supervisor for junior and mid-level communications staff, the Director must be able to mentor and guide other staff while being able to help staff deliver their full potential.  The Director will also work with the VP on planning and administering the department’s budget. 

Position Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree preferred with at least ten or more years of cumulative work experience most in positions of increasing responsibility in communications and media relations.  Management experience is required.

·         Candidates must have a demonstrated record of proactively and successfully placing print and electronic stories, op-eds and ensuring that the organization’s message is placed in reactive stories. 

·         Candidates must be highly organized and detail-oriented, a self-starter and results-oriented, be able to work collaboratively, and handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

·         Candidates must be experienced managers capable of effectively providing guidance, coaching, and critical feedback to staff both verbally and through written materials including performance reviews. 

·         Candidates must also have excellent speaking and writing skills, computer and Internet proficiency, and strong verbal communication skills. 

·         Background or experience with LGBT rights and issues is important.

·         The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to HRC and to advancing HRC’s goals and objectives.

TO APPLY: Visit here or visit HRC’s careers page.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: NBC Universal, “Access Hollywood,” Senior Publicist (Universal City, CA)

The Unit Publicist on "Access Hollywood", "Access Hollywood Live" and Accesshollywood.com is responsible for all day-to-day publicity efforts for the LA-based entertainment news magazine brand and programming.

Job requirements:

• Actively pitch and liaise with journalists across all media platforms-traditional digital and social media, reinforcing and broadening media contacts and strengthening the brand profile.
• Collaborate with producers & web team to create daily press blasts, press releases, pitch letters and other material that effectively informs the media and public of programming, interviews, and breaking news.
• Create and implement a press strategy to maximize profile publicity for the shows' talent, experts (producers) and Access Hollywood brand. Develop timelines and strategy for advance press coverage of appearances, performances, interviews.
• Read and review daily production / interview logs/transcripts, pulling out sound bites which will be disseminated to appropriate press outlets.
• Work closely with digital producers and Accesshollywood.com teams to boost exposure of the shows' website.
• Research, write, proofread, edit and secure approvals for press releases and assigned written & photo materials.
• Oversee crisis management.
• Field media requests for information, photography, listings and radio requests for programming and talent; organize photo shoots and set visits as needed.

Basic Qualifications:

• 3-5 years (minimum) previous work experience in entertainment publicity; unit PR experience a plus.
• Bachelor's Degree in either of the following: English, Communications, Journalism, Publicity or related field.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of social media and digital / online / viral press and publicity.

TO APPLY: Visit here.  (PF reporting)