ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE A New Orleans-based public relations and corporate communications agency is searching for an account executive to contribute to a variety of public relations campaigns and projects for clients in the financial, retail, construction, entertainment, real estate, economic development and public industries. PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES: • Possess an interest in the economic and cultural framework of New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Gulf South. • Be independently motivated with the ability to conduct a number of tasks at the same time. • Demonstrate an interest in and basic understanding of news and emerging media, including social networking and the Internet. • Possess the skill to interpret ideas or issues and clearly express them in written word, such as e-mail, news releases, articles, speeches or proposals. • Possess a basic knowledge of issue research, including online research and public perception research, such as surveys and focus groups. • Be a team-player who can exceed expectations in their designated role. DUTIES: • Drive campaigns by coordinating and updating requirements with internal departments and external services; scheduling and timing requirements with production, creative, media, and traffic managers; resolving day-to-day issues; providing tactical counsel. • Develop communications by designing, writing, editing, proofreading, and distributing news releases, newsletters, brochures, flyers, backgrounders, web pages, media advisories, speeches, etc.; approves materials. • Develop promotional opportunities by arranging speaking engagements; managing press announcements and informational sessions; arranging special events. • Initiating and managing online campaigns, engagement and conversations via various websites, forums and social network platforms. • Maintain client presence with media targets by cultivating, building, and maintaining media relationships; arranging interviews and tours; analyzing media coverage; discovering and pitching new outlets and contacts. • Manage client expectations by communicating campaign and project status and issues; resolving concerns; analyzing time and cost issues; approving billings; preparing reports; building and maintaining rapport. • Meet cost standards by preparing budgets; monitoring expenses; implementing cost-saving actions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This is a position at a leading public relations and corporate communications agency in New Orleans. Qualified candidates possess a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in public relations, corporate communications or journalism. The following degrees are preferred: communications, journalism, business administration, management, marketing, public relations, political science and psychology. Candidates selected for an interview must be professional and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and writing skills. They must also possess excellent command of PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and the English language, as well as working knowledge of social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Google + and similar outlets. COMPENSATION: Compensation is competitive based on experience and includes health insurance, 401(k) and annual bonus based on company performance. CONTACT: Please send all resumes and work experience to Marc Ehrhardt, senior vice president, at marc@theehrhardtgroup.com. No phone calls, please.