Contract, Senior Publicist

Sphere Digital Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An award-winning integrated agency seeks a freelance Senior Publicist or Account Director to lead media strategy for premium lifestyle brands in the alcohol and luxury culture space. This role involves managing campaigns, securing media placements, and mentoring junior team members, with a focus on innovative and culturally relevant strategies.

Qualifications

• Highly experienced publicist with strong media contacts.
• Experience in alcohol or beverage brands is a bonus.
• Ability to lead media strategy and secure high-profile placements.

Responsibilities

• Lead global and UK media planning for multiple campaigns.
• Execute media amplification strategies and manage events.
• Draft earned media strategies for annual planning.

Skills

Media Strategy

Public Relations

Media Contacts

Campaign Management

Job description

Freelance Brief - Senior Publicist / Account Director (Lifestyle & Culture Focus)
Rate: £350-£400/day (flexibility for the right experience)
Start: ASAP - ideally within the next week
Duration: From early May through end of June (with potential extension); open to 2-3 days per week (Tues/Weds preferred)

Overview

An award-winning integrated agency is seeking a freelance Senior Publicist or Account Director to lead UK and global media strategy for a suite of premium lifestyle brands, including those in the alcohol and luxury culture space. This is a key planning and activation period with major campaigns launching over the summer.

What We're Looking For

• A highly experienced publicist with a strong black book of UK and international cultural and lifestyle media contacts, including both long-lead and digital-first titles.

• Someone who can confidently take ownership of media strategy, lead sell-ins, and secure high-profile placements across editorial and cultural press.

• Experience in alcohol or beverage brands is a bonus-particularly where it intersects with luxury, lifestyle, and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead global and UK media planning for multiple campaign launches.

• Execute media amplification strategies, including exclusive interviews, event coverage, and talent-driven features.

• Direct sell-ins to premium media outlets, including coordinating with local market teams.

• Handle media-facing elements of major activations and events (attendee management, photoshoot planning, content approvals).

• Brief talent and influencers for media interviews and provide strategic support to the wider PR team.

• Draft earned media strategies for annual planning.

• Manage and mentor junior team members to support ongoing coverage.

Target Media Examples

• Cultural & digital titles: High Snobiety, Hypebeast, Dazed, Wonderland

• Premium print & lifestyle: Elle, Harper's Bazaar, GQ, Esquire

Additional Notes

• Talent from recent campaigns has included high-profile names; experience working with celebrities or large-scale launches is ideal.

• While the role is focused on weekday work and media output, the candidate will not be required to attend in-person activations.

• There is a global element to the role, and the client values fresh thinking and culturally relevant strategy approaches.

• Examples of past press coverage will be required as part of the application.

Sphere Digital Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.