Publicist, Penguin Press (6-9m FTC)

Job description

Are you looking for your next role in PR? Do you love good books and like to share that love? Do you have what it takes to deliver game-changing, creative campaigns?

We are looking for a Publicist* to join the Penguin Press division to work on campaigns across our list. This opportunity is offered on 6–9-month fixed term contract, covering a period of leave in the team.

As Publicist, you will be responsible for planning and implementing publicity and events campaigns for a range of Penguin Classics, poetry and non-fiction titles, from launching new voices to promoting established writers. You will have direction from senior publicity colleagues and will collaborate with other publicists on campaigns. You will liaise between internal departments, from marketing and sales to rights and editorial, and communicate effectively with authors and agents, and other external stakeholders.

You can expect to:
• Develop publicity and events plans and implement campaigns
• Write press releases; create targeted mailing lists; place features, interviews and reviews across broadcast, print and online media
• Plan and scheduling events, signings, and festival appearance
• Accompany authors on press tours and to events
• Manage your campaign budgets: estimating costs, staying within budget and processing invoices
• Communicate effectively with authors and agents, including presenting campaign plans and results
• Initiate and maintain relationships with journalists, festival and events organisers
• Read acquisitions and provide feedback from a PR angle
• Coordinate international press requests for group companies
• Undertake general administrative tasks as required to support the department, eg maintaining databases, catalogue mailings, seasonal press releases

This role involves regular out of hours work on weekends and evenings in order to attend events.

We’d love it if you had…

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive team player with good communication, organisation and time management skills. You don’t need to have come from a publishing background; you may have worked as a Publicity Assistant or Press Officer in a PR agency, or within the arts, creative or media industries.

Our perfect candidate will have some knowledge of publicity having supported on media and events campaigns, and are ready to make the next step, working across non-fiction, Penguin Classics and poetry publicity. Importantly, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment and come to work eager and ready to learn.

Employer details

Penguin Press publishes serious and ground-breaking non-fiction across our Allen Lane, Pelican and Particular Books imprints, with bestselling authors such as Naomi Klein, Claudia Rankine, James Rebanks, Carlo Rovelli, Lea Ypi, Ha-Joon Chang and Greta Thunberg. Press is also home to the world-famous Penguin Classics library. We’re looking for a hard-working and creative Publicist to join our team on a full-time and permanent basis.