International Media Relations Consultant

• Develop a network of high-level professional contacts within the local, regional GCC, and international media, along with specific niche media contacts in areas of clear relevance to the client.
• Maintain industry/ media contacts to remain informed of industry activity and trends on local, regional levels.
• Assist with the development and implementation of client’s media communications strategies and advise on the best means to achieve maximum positive coverage.
• Draft and compare media plans for a variety of clients including local and regional ones.
• Provide guidance on relevance of media outlets to client and resulting exposure, viewing/reading figures they can expect from different media outlets.
• Draft media Q&As/talking points for client spokespeople – in English and/or Arabic.
• Respond rapidly to, and deal effectively with, enquiries from the media and other opinion formers.
• Advise Account Directors and/or Account Managers of media issues and on the best means of handling them.
• Develop and maintain contacts with PR departments of key entities related to the client such as Government entities.
• Evaluate client’s media coverage and advise client teams accordingly.
• Ensure the timely and effective dissemination of media communications, including press releases, statements, invitations, fact sheets and other client approved media related material, to target media audiences.
• Ensure Arabic and English press releases are aligned prior to dissemination.
• Follow up on dissemination of media releases to ensure stories are picked up.
• Produce monthly media coverage reports, annual press coverage reports, and specific press coverage reports for news releases - as advised by client.
• Attend meetings with the client.
• Invite and manage media before, during and after client events.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts/media/communications/journalism
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, preferably with some journalistic experience
• Fluency in Arabic and English – spoken and written
• Relationship with Tier 1 Media locally and in the GCC