Senior Publicist- Lifestyle

Corus Entertainment; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Corus Entertainment is seeking a Senior Publicist to lead publicity strategies for Home Network, Flavour Network, HISTORY, Slice, and related programming. You will drive earned media, influencer engagement, and events across Canada, mentoring junior staff and collaborating with internal teams to meet business goals.

You will manage talent relations, craft press materials, and analyze campaign results, ensuring timely, impactful coverage across broadcast, digital, and social platforms.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Marketing, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in publicity, media relations, communications, or entertainment marketing.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans that drive results.
• Exceptional written, editing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong media relations network across Canadian lifestyle, entertainment, news, and trade outlets.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic publicity campaigns for priority Lifestyle brands and series to grow audience and brand awareness.
• Develop and execute earned media, influencer, talent, and event strategies for networks and programming.
• Build relationships with entertainment, lifestyle, news, trade media, influencers, and content creators in Canada.
• Manage media outreach, pitching, and securing high-impact coverage across broadcast, online, and social.
• Lead talent publicity initiatives including media training, interviews, appearances, and press tours.
• Write, edit, and approve publicity materials such as press releases, bios, kits, and show descriptions.
• Analyze media performance and provide strategic recommendations and reporting.
• Plan and execute publicity events, red carpets, screenings, and influencer activations.
• Coordinate photo shoots, assets, and media materials distribution.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Social, Programming, and Production teams for integrated campaigns.
• Identify new publicity opportunities and emerging media trends to stay relevant.
• Mentor and guide the Publicity Coordinator and contribute to department initiatives.

Skills

Publicity campaigns

Media relations

Strategic communications

Event planning

Influencer engagement

Talent relations

Team mentorship

Storytelling

Editorial writing

Project management

Digital media

Cision

Benchmark

MRP

WordPress

Meltwater

Education

Undergraduate degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Cision

Benchmark

MRP

WordPress

Meltwater

Job description

The Senior Publicist plays a leadership role on Corus' Lifestyle PR team, helping drive awareness, engagement, and audience growth for Home Network, Flavour Network, HISTORY, Slice, and each network’s portfolio of original and acquired programming and talent.

Reporting to the Publicity Manager, with the support of a Publicist and a Publicity Coordinator, the Senior Publicist is responsible for developing and executing integrated publicity campaigns that generate impactful earned media coverage, social conversation, and influencer engagement across platforms. This role leads strategic communications plans for priority series and initiatives, manages talent and media relationships, oversees publicity events and activations, and collaborates closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to support business objectives.

The Senior Publicist also provides day-to-day leadership and mentorship to the Publicist and Publicity Coordinator while contributing to broader team and departmental initiatives.

Does mouth-watering food content stop your scroll? Are you constantly saving home reno reveals and luxury home tours? Perhaps historical documentaries send you down a rabbit hole for hours. If your algorithm knows you this well, maybe it's time we did too.

You will contribute by:

• Lead strategic publicity campaigns for priority Lifestyle brands and series, developing creative communications plans that support audience growth, brand awareness, and corporate objectives.
• Develop and execute earned media, influencer, talent, and event strategies for Home Network, Flavour Network, HISTORY, Slice, and their programming portfolios.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with entertainment, lifestyle, news, trade, and digital media outlets, as well as influencers and content creators across Canada.
• Manage media outreach and pitching efforts, securing high-impact coverage opportunities across broadcast, print, online, podcast, and social platforms.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with network talent, production partners, distributors, independent producers, and unit publicists to maximize promotional opportunities.
• Lead talent-related publicity initiatives, including media training support, interview opportunities, appearances, press tours, and promotional events.
• Develop, write, edit, and approve publicity materials, including press releases, media alerts, key messaging documents, biographies, press kits, show descriptions, briefing materials, presentations, and reports.
• Analyze media performance and campaign effectiveness, providing strategic recommendations and reporting on earned media and influencer results.
• Lead the planning and execution of publicity events, red carpets, press junkets, screenings, influencer activations, media experiences, and special events.
• Manage photography and promotional assets, including oversight of photo shoots, approvals, distribution, and organization of media materials.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Social Media, Programming, Creative Services, Research, Streaming, Sales, and Production teams to ensure integrated campaign execution.
• Identify innovative publicity opportunities and emerging media trends to keep Corus brands culturally relevant and top of conversation.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and daily support to the Publicity Coordinator, helping develop their skills and career growth.
• Contribute to broader departmental initiatives and special projects as required.

Skills and experience you will bring:

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in publicity, media relations, communications, or entertainment marketing, preferably within the broadcasting, media, or entertainment industries.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans that support business objectives and generate measurable results.
• Exceptional written, editing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong media relations experience with an established network of contacts across Canadian lifestyle, entertainment, news, and trade media.
• Demonstrated success securing meaningful earned media coverage and developing innovative publicity campaigns.
• Experience managing influencer relations and creator partnerships.
• Strong understanding of talent relations and experience supporting talent-facing publicity initiatives.
• Experience planning and executing events, media experiences, launches, screenings, and press tours.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Highly collaborative with exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior team members is considered an asset.
• Strong understanding of social media, digital content trends, and the evolving media landscape.
• Interest in and understanding of the Canadian broadcasting, media, and entertainment industries.
• Strong technical proficiency, including Microsoft Office and platforms such as Cision, Benchmark, MRP, WordPress, Meltwater, Canva, or similar tools.