Senior Publicist

KCD; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KCD in New York seeks a Senior Publicist to lead client media strategies across fashion, lifestyle, and business publications. You will manage editorial outreach, press pitching, and VIP placements while mentoring junior staff.

The role focuses on developing PR campaigns, collaborating with media partners, and ensuring brand storytelling aligns with industry trends. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, working either in-house or at an agency.
• A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field is preferred.
• Ability to travel (domestic/international) as needed

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-level media strategies, securing top-tier press coverage across fashion, lifestyle, and business publications.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts, including editors, journalists, and industry leaders.
• Oversee editorial outreach, feature placements, news items and brand storytelling, ensuring alignment with client goals.
• Oversee thought leadership strategy for clients where applicable, securing top tier placements for brand executives
• Lead media pitching efforts for local, national, and international press across print, digital, social and broadcast platforms.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity, identifying new opportunities for client exposure.
• Analyze media performance metrics, offering strategic insights and recommendations to enhance brand positioning.

Skills

Media pitching

Relationship management

Team leadership

Editorial outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Launchmetrics

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

DESCRIPTION: The Senior Publicist will lead client media strategies, securing high-impact press coverage across fashion, lifestyle, and business publications. This role involves managing editorial outreach, press pitching, and VIP placements while mentoring junior staff. The candidate will develop and execute PR campaigns, collaborate with media partners, and ensure brand positioning aligns with industry trends. Strong communication, multitasking, and relationship-building skills are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Media Relations & Strategy

• Develop and execute high-level media strategies, securing top-tier press coverage across fashion, lifestyle, and business publications.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts, including editors, journalists, and industry leaders.
• Oversee editorial outreach, feature placements, news items and brand storytelling, ensuring alignment with client goals.
• Oversee thought leadership strategy for clients where applicable, securing top tier placements for brand executives
• Lead media pitching efforts for local, national, and international press across print, digital, social and broadcast platforms.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activity, identifying new opportunities for client exposure.
• Analyze media performance metrics, offering strategic insights and recommendations to enhance brand positioning.

Client & Account Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day client contact, ensuring a seamless and strategic PR experience.
• Develop and manage seasonal PR campaigns, overseeing feature stories, product placements, and event press coverage.
• Lead client meetings, presentations, and strategy sessions, providing expert counsel on media positioning and brand messaging.
• Provide consistent, professional client experience, managing client expectations and delivering high-quality results.
• Manage and mentor a team of Publicists and Junior Publicists, overseeing account execution and professional development.
• Oversee sample trafficking, press requests, and media list management, ensuring streamlined operations.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing within the team, promoting a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with KCD’s event, digital, and creative teams to maximize PR impact.

Event & Fashion Show Support

• Develop and execute press strategies for high-profile client events, fashion shows, and industry activations.
• Manage front-of-house press operations, ensuring seamless media coordination and brand exposure.
• Act as a key liaison between clients, media, and internal teams, ensuring smooth execution of events and activations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive experience in pitching local, national, and broadcast media, with a strong background in lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment PR.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and media pitches.
• Strong time management and multitasking abilities, capable of overseeing multiple client accounts and press initiatives without losing focus under pressure.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of lifestyle, hospitality, and retail industries, as well as key designers, media publications, and emerging style trends.
• Blend of creative and strategic thinking, with the ability to shift seamlessly between brand storytelling and data-driven media analysis.
• A strong work ethic and results-driven mindset, demonstrating initiative, accountability, and a passion for the fashion industry.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, while also leading projects independently and providing mentorship to junior staff.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite & experience with media tracking platforms (Launchmetrics or similar) preferred.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, working either in-house or at an agency.
• A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field is preferred.
• Ability to travel (domestic/international) as needed

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience using media tracking and PR software, such as Launchmetrics or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign) is a plus.
• Proficiency with digital media platforms, analytics tools, and content management systems is preferred.

ABOUT KCD

KCD is a global leader in brand experience with offices in New York, Paris, London, and Los Angeles. For more than 40 years, the agency has developed and applied its unparalleled fashion expertise while also servicing culture-driven industries across popular, luxury and community pillars. KCD’s teams work with brands that span emerging to established, amplifying new buzz, and maintaining legacy power alike. With customized creative strategies, comprehensive public relations campaigns, and world-class event solutions, KCD’s precision-focused execution makes an impact across today’s most relevant channels. Always at the frontier of innovation, KCD is dedicated to a continuum of experience: Catalyzing it, creating it, and ensuring that it lasts.