Potomac Flacks

Sen. Cardin Names Zink Press Secretary in State Office

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) has hired Tim Zink as Press Secretary, based in his primary state office in Baltimore.

Previously, Zink advised the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on communications strategies following oil spills and toxic releases in our nation’s oceans, most notably the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Before that he directed communications and marketing for the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a congressionally chartered non-profit organization, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a groundbreaking coalition of fishing, hunting and environmental organizations.

He also previously managed media relations for Trout Unlimited, the country’s foremost organization devoted to the protection of cold water resources.

Zink began his career as an environmental journalist, helping launch Blue Ridge Press, a syndicated column service publishing on environmental issues, and assisting the magazine and television operations of the National Geographic Society.

He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Washington & Lee University.  (PF tipster)

Freire Joins Sen. Hatch as New Communications Director

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch announced Friday that J.P. Freire will be joining his staff as Communications Director overseeing communications for the state of Utah and the personal office.

Freire joins Hatch’s staff after two years of serving as Communications Director and Speechwriter for U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS).  He previously worked as a Senior Communications Strategist in crisis communications, campaigns, and corporate defense for New Media Strategies following nearly eight years as an award-winning conservative journalist, including turns as Associate Editorial Page Editor at the Washington Examiner, Managing Editor at the American Spectator, and Researcher/Writer at the New York Times.  In 2009 he was honored as CPAC’s Journalist of the Year.

Freire holds a B.A. in English from Cornell University, where he also served as senior editor of the Cornell Review.

“J.P.’s experience as a policy-focused journalist, strategic communicator, and effective manager will be a major asset to our team as we coordinate our agenda for the Senate,” Sen. Hatch said.  “J.P. is an honest broker who knows how to discuss complicated issues with reporters, and I’m thrilled to have him as part of my team.”  

Freire is a native of Stamford, CT.  (PF tipster, press release)

DREAM JOB OF THE WEEK: TD Garden / Boston Bruins, Client Communications Specialist (Boston, MA)

Position Summary:

Manage the communication strategy for the Season Ticket Holder and Premium Club client communities, in collaboration with the Sales & Service teams, through the development and implementation of content across all channels.  Serve as the primary copy-writer and ensure suitability and optimization of content by channel type, consistency in style and tone, relevancy for target groups and adherence with organization-wide branding and messaging guidelines.  Monitor and track effectiveness of messaging and be an early adopter of emerging digital channels and content development for the organization.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Create and distribute unique content for the Boston Bruins Season Ticket Holder and Premium Club client communities through various channels, including but not limited to email, client websites, social media and traditional communication and collateral applications. 
• Work with Sales & Service departments and Marketing department to develop new and unique ways to deliver content through our current channels and through new immerging channels.  Work with all organization groups to ensure consistent messaging across all brands.
• Provide copy-writing expertise across all marketing, digital, sales and service functions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or a related degree.
• All candidates must have minimum of 2-3 years professional experience developing communications and content strategies in the digital space for business.  Experience with sales/service and or membership-driven business preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with all levels within the organization.
• Conveys leadership qualities and a team player disposition with collaboration and influential skills.
• A self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, who can thrive in a fast paced and constantly changing environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Exceptional written, communication and organization skills. Copy-writing samples required.  Creative thinker with experience developing engaging content across all media.
• Strong working knowledge and history of optimization of all social platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, Google+.
• Candidate is required to possess a working knowledge of and experience utilizing marketing automation and CMS platforms.  Experienced with design tools including Adobe Photoshop

Note: When you apply for this job online, you will be required to answer the following questions:

Do you have 2-3 years of developing communications and content strategies in the digital space for business? Yes/No

TO APPLY: Click here. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: National Association of Manufacturers, Director of Media Relations

The National Association of Manufacturers, headquartered in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Director, Media Relations to join its award-winning and nationally recognized Communications Department. Details of this exciting opportunity are below. 

SUMMARY

The Director, Media Relations reports to the Senior Director, Media Relations and is an exempt level position in the Communications Department. This position is an integral part of the strategic communications team who acts as a spokesperson for the NAM. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Media Relations, the Director collaborates with all divisions of the NAM, including the Manufacturing Institute, and understands how to marry the NAM’s goals and messaging with a dynamic news cycle. The Director possesses strong relationships with reporters, columnists, editorial writers, producers, bookers and bloggers. In addition to building and maintaining a press network, the Director is a fast, savvy writer who drafts releases, blog posts, tweets and other communications for the NAM’s diverse audiences. This position requires good judgment, agility and discipline in order to juggle multiple internal clients, projects and deadlines. Candidates with on-the-record experience and a successful track record of working with reporters, producers and bookers will be given strong preference.

Additionally, the Director participates in the NAM’s numerous issue advocacy campaigns by developing and implementing press strategies that will increase the level and quality of the campaigns’ visibility or legislative advocacy. These tactics are measured by earned media coverage, which the Director will track. The Director also will work with the team to make recommendations on adjustments to campaign and legislative communications strategies as needed – drawing from a strong sense of how to package a story based on publication and reporter, tailor messages to target audiences, and utilize NAM member companies and third party surrogates. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

They include but are not limited to the following. 

• Works with policy staff to develop and communicate manufacturers’ positions on public policies to members of the media.
• Build and manage relationships with press corps covering issues on which the NAM is engaged; field and evaluate requests from national and regional media; seek out opportunities to generate earned media opportunities for NAM executives and policy experts.
• Understand all social media platforms and use them effectively.
• Writing and editing with skill and speed whether press releases, blogs, opinion editorials, letters to the editor, briefing memos, or tweets.
• Demonstrate ability to translate information about complex issues for broad audiences quickly and succinctly.
• Develop relationships with key NAM staff, representatives of member companies and policy coalitions, master subtle nuances of policies and advance the NAM agenda.
• Serve as staff support to NAM President and other senior officers during press events, which may include travel.
• Work collaboratively, perform well under pressure, and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Show attention to detail and accuracy, as well as good judgment in situations with the media, NAM leadership, staff and member companies.
• Provide strategic communications advice and earned media support.
• Set up and manage press events.
• Track media coverage in real-time and manage NAM earned media records.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science, English or related discipline;
• 5-8 years of communications experience;
• Experience as a press secretary and familiarity with both legislative and executive branches preferred, but not required;
• Collaborative style and demonstrated effective written and verbal communications skills essential;
• Experience interacting with and briefing high ranking officials and executives;
• Ability to work as part of a team and handle pressure in a deadline driven environment;
• Ability to travel domestically in support of NAM principals.

TO APPLY: Click here.  (PF tipster)

Job of the Week: Washington Post, Communications Coordinator

The Washington Post seeks an organized, energetic and detail-oriented Communications Coordinator to provide support to the Public Relations team.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: event planning, research, report generating, database management, entry-level publicity, set up and producing TV and radio live shots, and telephone coverage. The right candidate must be able to anticipate project needs, take initiative, discern priorities and meet deadlines, and must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends. Candidate should understand event management, be able to provide outstanding customer service, be an enthusiastic professional and be able to build strong internal and external relationships.

Required Skills:

- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

- Careful attention to detail with good follow-through.

- Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments from a variety of staff, including helping to plan and execute events.

- Willingness to work at events after hours or to work extended hours when required; assist with managing on-site production and cleanup for events as necessary.

- Strategic thinker who can adapt and prioritize moment to moment.

- Customer service-focused; can easily establish rapport and develop credibility from internal employees and external business partners.

- Dynamic self-starter with strong decision making skills.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including writing, proof reading and speaking.

- Expertise with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.

Experience:

- Bachelor’s Degree - 0-3 years related experience

TO APPLY: Visit here.

**Interested candidates must attach cover letter with application. (WashingtonPost.com)