PR Account Executive

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media and communications agency located in Cape Town is seeking an Account Executive who excels in media relations and client management. The ideal candidate will possess strong pitching skills and the ability to deliver high-quality reports and updates to clients. Responsibilities include managing the media relations process, building client relationships, and contributing creative ideas. This role will also involve project management and the use of Microsoft Office applications. Proactive learning and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to build media relationships and understand the South African media landscape.
• Detail-oriented and proactive in learning and skill development.

Responsibilities

• Own the media relations process for your team.
• Pitch relevant stories to targeted media and write media content.
• Manage client relationships and provide coverage updates.

Skills

Media relations expertise

Pitching skills

Client relationship management

Creativity

Project management skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

As an Account Executive at MSL, you are becoming a media relations expert, working to seamlessly

manage media relationships and interviews. You own the reporting process and ensure your manager

receives accurate, quality reports on time, and that clients receive regular, accurate coverage updates.

You are starting to build good relationships with your clients, and write quality content beyond media

pitches and emails. In addition, you provide guidance to your team’s Intern/AA (if applicable).

Responsibilities

• Media relations: Display an excellent knowledge of the South African media landscape (and an interest in the broader African media landscape), develop solid media relationships, and own the effective running of your team’s entire media relations process.
• Pitching skills: Demonstrate an ability to effectively identify angles, write and pitch relevant stories to targeted media, displaying creativity and an understanding of newsworthiness in the process.
• Media lists: Work with Intern/AA (if applicable) to ensure media lists are regularly updated, inform the broader agency of media changes, compile tailored media lists per client content piece, and keep master client media lists updated.
• MSL Newsdesk: Participate in daily newsdesk/media meetings and write up relevant news and angles in email format to share with clients (with your AD’s/AM’s approval); take notes in Newsroom meeting if asked.
• Computer skills: Strong proficiency in all Microsoft Office packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (or other company-preferred applications), taking Marcel Classes to become an advanced user of these programmes.
• Research: Demonstrate effective research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.
• Writing: Start to develop media pitch and release writing skills, beyond email communication.
• Project management skills: Build ability to take responsibility for specific projects from start-to-finish (if required).
• Client knowledge: Demonstrate constant efforts to grow your understanding of clients’ business and knowledge of competitors, for effective idea generation.
• Client relations: Demonstrate and build on personalised, friendly rapports with clients, and show a growing ability to manage their expectations.
• Creativity: Confidently contribute own ideas to planning or brainstorm meetings.
• Coverage: With Intern/AA, take ownership of daily coverage tracking for reports and timely client coverage updates.
• Reporting: Ensure quality, timely monthly reports are delivered to clients.
• Timesheets: Demonstrate effective time recording and reporting (daily, accurate data logged on Chase, as per Groupe deadlines).
• Respect: Acknowledge and respond to instructions from senior staff as soon as possible (email, instant message or spoken).
• Know the agency and Publicis Groupe Africa (PGA): Demonstrate familiarity with both MSL and PGA's organisational structures and offerings.
• People development: Begin to build supervisory skills by coaching and assisting graduates/interns/AA (if applicable).
• Assist your fellow AEs with skill development and peer-to-peer mentorship.

Qualifications

• Quality: Consistently deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards.
• Detail‑orientated: Execute unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, including documents, presentations, emails and all other communiques.
• Proactive upskilling: Display a basic understanding of content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio) and clients’ industries, staying abreast of the broader news environment and spotting opportunities for media conversation building.
• Proactive learning: Regularly make use of the Marcel Classes portal (and other internal training sessions) to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey.
• Profile: Manage and build your own profile within your team and the broader agency.