(I) Public Relations Intern

SXSW; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 17,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

SXSW is seeking a Public Relations Intern to gain hands-on experience within the communications team behind a global event celebrating technology, culture and media. The role spans SXSW’s major pillars, offering exposure to media relations, press operations and on-site publicity during the festival in Austin.

Responsibilities evolve with the season, including developing PR strategies, drafting materials, coordinating interviews and supporting credentialing and media center operations.

Qualifications

• Must be a degree-seeking student, preferably in communications, PR, journalism, events, media or related fields.
• Highly organized and proactive.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong research skills and curiosity about media, culture and current events.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficient communicating professionally by email, phone and in person.
• Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly.
• Enthusiasm for learning about the wide range of industries represented at SXSW.

Responsibilities

• Support PR strategies across SXSW programming pillars and assist media relations.
• Interact with journalists, publicists, speakers, artists, creators and partners.
• Coordinate interview schedules and route press inquiries.
• Assist with credentialing, media center operations and on-site publicity.
• Monitor earned media coverage and contribute to internal reports.

Skills

Organized

Written communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Research skills

Multitasking

Professional communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Fast-paced environments

Eagerness to learn

Education

Currently pursuing degree

Job description

Internship Purpose

SXSW is seeking exceptional candidates to for our Public Relations Internship position. This internship offers hands‑ons experience working within the communications team behind one of the world's leading events celebrating the convergence of technology, business, film and television, music, education, comedy, podcasts and culture.

SXSW Public Relations Intern

Internship Purpose

SXSW is seeking exceptional candidates to for our Public Relations Internship position. This internship offers hands‑ons experience working within the communications team behind one of the world's leading events celebrating the convergence of technology, business, film and television, music, education, comedy, podcasts and culture.

The Public Relations Intern will work across all of SXSW's major programming pillars, including Innovation, Film & TV, Music, SXSW EDU, Comedy and the SXSW Podcast Festival, gaining exposure to the communications strategies, media relations and event operations that support each area. Working alongside the SXSW communications team, the intern will interact with journalists, publicists, speakers, artists, creators, partners and other industry representatives while collaborating with teams throughout the organization.

Because the internship spans the months leading directly into SXSW, responsibilities and learning opportunities will evolve throughout the season. The intern will gain experience in both the strategic preparation required to promote a major global event and the fast‑paced execution of media operations during SXSW itself.

What You Will Learn:

• How a communications team develops and executes PR strategies across multiple industries, audiences and programming areas.
• Media relations fundamentals, including journalist research, media list development, outreach, relationship management and responding to media inquiries.
• How SXSW develops communications around programming announcements, speakers, artists, creators, partners and major event initiatives.
• Media accreditation processes and how to evaluate journalists, outlets and coverage opportunities.
• How communications teams prepare for and support interviews, press opportunities, media events and on‑site activations.
• How to monitor, organize and analyze earned media coverage and develop internal reporting.
• How PR works cross-functionally with programming, marketing, partnerships, event operations and other teams within a large-scale event organization.
• The planning and execution involved in operating media services and communications during a major international event.
• Experience using professional media databases, monitoring platforms, project-management tools and other communications technology.

Potential Learning Opportunities:

• Gain hands‑ons experience corresponding with journalists, publicists, and creators while learning how to route press inquiries and coordinate interview schedules.
• Develop skills in mapping the media landscape and building targeted contact databases across film, TV, music, tech, podcasts, and comedy.
• Learn the fundamentals of researching, fact‑checking, and drafting press releases, FAQs, talking points, and executive briefing documents.
• Build practical experience in content creator management through targeted research, outreach, and campaign monitoring.
• Experience large‑scale event publicity by supporting on‑site media center operations, media check‑in, and live press logistics.
• Learn how to plan and coordinate press conferences, talent interviews, and on‑site publicity opportunities.
• Understand the logistics of media access control by supporting credentialing and accreditation processes leading up to the event.
• Master media monitoring techniques to track real‑time news coverage, build internal recaps, and analyze post‑event campaign metrics.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must be a degree‑seeking student, preferably interested in communications, public relations, journalism, events, media or related fields
• Highly organized and proactive.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong research skills and curiosity about media, culture and current events.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficient communicating professionally by email, phone and in person.
• Strong interpersonal and customer‑service skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in both virtual and in‑person environments.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment where priorities can shift quickly.
• Enthusiasm for learning about the wide range of industries and communities represented at SXSW.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 10+ pounds occasionally, as needed.
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, which may include exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Location, Schedule & Pay

This position is located in Austin, Texas. Core business office hours are from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Candidates must be available to work from October to the end of March and a time commitment of 16 hours a week is required. Internships require full-time availability (up to 40 hours/week) during the event. This is a paid internship at $12.00/hr.