External Communications and Relations Manager

Harte Hanks is looking for a Communications Manager to drive industry thought leadership, media visibility and customer recognition for Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing. The position’s key success criteria are the ability to “get the word out" and extend our brand, industry perception, exposure, and public awareness by fostering various industry relations.

 

The candidate will be responsible for the overall success of this division’s industry and analyst relations programs and oversee all public communication. The External Communications and Relations Manager will be a subject matter expert on our clients, our clients industry and their successes, as well as the field of external communications as a whole and will work with solutions area subject matter experts within the company for more detailed press assignments. 

 

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the company’s analyst relations strategy (Forrester, Gartner, etc.) as well as industry relations (DMA, etc.) to build media awareness, communicate thought leadership and vision, enhance brand image, and develop positive coverage in print, interviews, appearances and panels, while ensuring that key branding and product messages are consistently communicated through all materials produced.

 

In addition, the candidate will be responsible for the development of a customer focused media and award recognition program to ensure effective exposure of our brand to the marketplace. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Strategy/Planning for Industry Events

· Provide direction and guidance for maximizing Harte-Hanks’ presence at industry events, such as the annual DMA conference, Forrester Marketing Summits, and the like. 

· Participate in the annual development of marketing strategy plans for the verticals we serve (financial services, retail, automotive, public sector, consumer brands, pharmaceutical, and high tech). 

· Consistently think out of the box –  offer fresh, creative, and innovative thinking to teams and clients, including developing proactive idea programs for each PR initiative

 

Analyst Relations

· Act as primary contact between Harte-Hanks and industry analysts, especially at research/director level of analyst firms

· Develop and oversee analyst relations plan within both vertical and operations teams

· Create site visit plans for subject matter experts in preparation of analyst briefings to include: visit goals and objectives, analyst communication history, analyst’s most recent report/research, and follow-up plans and after action reports

 

Public Relations

· Develop, prepare and maintain comprehensive corporate and product public relations plans

· Write major press releases, advisories, etc., with support of VP, Marketing

· Identify target media for PR opportunities, leveraging advertising sponsorships as appropriate

· Manage editorial opportunities, key media and analyst relationships and local visibility programs

· Implement and execute PR components of product launches and vertical marketing programs

· Manage PR section of company website

· Seek out award opportunities and submit company and/or product for consideration

· Identify and manage opportunities for Harte-Hanks to speak at industry events

 

Customer Relations: Establish relationship with top tier customers in order to;

· Gain a full understanding of customer implementations and return on investment(ROI)

· Assist in the sales process by developing and offering referential case studies

· Create customer case studies

 

Writing:

·  Write polished and well-structured bylined articles, guest columns, white papers, and other major pieces as time and resources allow, with minimal editing required; determine when to tap freelance writers

 

Requirements:

  · 3-6 years industry relations or public relations experience, preferably in the direct marketing sector

·  Bachelor’s degree (Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field preferred)

·  Strong public relations skills and media and analyst relations savvy

·  Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills

·  Budget and forecast management experience

·  Ability to work under pressure and keep to tight deadlines

·  Ability to be innovative and creative in the development of pitches and stories

·  Detail-oriented and organized with ability to multi-task

·  Innovation to generate fresh ideas/perspectives on PR/Advertising opportunities

·  Knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint and the Internet required

·  Must be able to work with little supervision

·  Some travel is required