What does a media relations manager do?
A media relations manager is in charge of devising strategies to raise brand awareness through media communications. Their responsibilities typically revolve around creating newsletters and print materials, identify media opportunities, assist in writing communication materials such as speech and press releases, and maintain positive relationships with the media. One may also handle social networking platforms, develop new marketing concepts, and manage media campaigns. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Media relations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real media relations manager resumes:
- Hire, train and manage play-by-play broadcasters guaranteeing a professional and informative listening experience.
- Direct corporate communications, publicity, media relations, crisis communications and serve as company spokesperson for major sports/entertainment venues.
- Create and maintain the school s official Facebook page.
- Help the college utilize social media (including Facebook) to engage alumni and current students.
- Respond to media inquiries; coordinate media interviews, including spokesperson preparation and message development.
- Direct internal communications tactics including newsletters, Intranet, domestic and international executive meetings, and special events.
- Leverage YouTube to encourage student winners to create and post PSA's promoting contest on YouTube.
- Play an integral role in the redesign of the website to ensure that branding and SEO efforts are consistent.
- Facilitate blog posting for all clients and the 834 brand on a weekly basis and evaluate for SEO and keywords.
- Direct strategic planning and execution for entertainment partnership platform to include B2C communications and marketing.
Media relations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Media Relations Managers are proficient in Press Releases, Strategic Communications, and External Communications. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Media Relations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Press Releases, 17%
Developed and produced communication plans and collateral, including newspaper stories, press releases and professional photographs.
- Strategic Communications, 6%
Carried out strategic communications for climate/oceans/fisheries for international nonprofit conservation organization.
- External Communications, 6%
Managed internal and external communications for an international relief organization, specifically overseeing collaborative efforts of communications and development teams.
- Crisis Communications, 5%
Developed aggressive media relations and crisis communications strategies to promote the company's positions on many business and public policy issues.
- Web Content, 5%
Managed public relations coordinator responsible for web content and development, physician newsletter, special events and internal client projects.
- Corporate Communications, 4%
Developed message strategy for new markets, corporate communications and other related media functions.
Most media relations managers use their skills in "press releases," "strategic communications," and "external communications" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential media relations manager responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a media relations manager to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what media relations managers do because "managers deal with the public regularly; therefore, they must be friendly enough to build a rapport with, and receive cooperation from, their media contacts and donors." Additionally, a media relations manager resume shows how media relations managers use communication skills: "established messages and communications strategy for each press conference, campaign and coached clients and attorneys on media interaction skills. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling media relations manager duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public relations and fundraising managers often lead large teams of specialists or fundraisers and must be able to guide their activities." According to a media relations manager resume, here's how media relations managers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "developed strategic communications campaigns to increase the profile of the exchange's c-suite leadership. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for media relations managers to perform their duties. For an example of how media relations manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "public relations and fundraising managers are often in charge of running several events at the same time, requiring superior organizational skills." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a media relations manager: "drafted and edited organizational publications including campus newsletters and press releases. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain media relations manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a media relations manager rely on this skill, as "managers sometimes must explain how the company or client is handling sensitive issues." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what media relations managers do: "assist departments with project proposals, out-of-the box solutions, collateral design, and event planning. "
Speaking skills. Another common skill required for media relations manager responsibilities is "speaking skills." This skill comes up in the duties of media relations managers all the time, as "public relations and fundraising managers regularly speak on behalf of their organization." An excerpt from a real media relations manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a media relations manager does: "represented manufacturing organization on gm community relations committee. "
Writing skills. Lastly, "writing skills" is an important element of what a media relations manager does. Media relations manager responsibilities require this skill because "managers must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases and speeches." This resume example highlights how media relations manager duties rely on this skill: "coordinated and implemented corporate media strategies, copywriting, and project management"
The three companies that hire the most media relations managers are:
- Siemens15 media relations managers jobs
- Siemens Enterprise Communications Inc
5 media relations managers jobs
- Constellation Energy Partners4 media relations managers jobs
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Compare different media relations managers
Media relations manager vs. Director of public affairs
Directors of Public Affairs are executives who manage the public relations and communications initiatives of the company. They oversee all external communications that are intended for broadcast. They create guidelines on the proper crafting of communication materials that will be published or broadcasted. They also lead the public affairs department in networking activities and industry events. Directors of Public Affairs must be level-headed, calm, and creative. They should know how to communicate with the public, handle crises, and create successful brands.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media relations manager responsibilities require skills like "web content," "corporate communications," "fact sheets," and "event planning." Meanwhile a typical director of public affairs has skills in areas such as "government affairs," "public policy," "external stakeholders," and "policy issues." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Directors of public affairs really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $137,872. Comparatively, media relations managers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $109,115.directors of public affairs tend to reach higher levels of education than media relations managers. In fact, directors of public affairs are 5.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Media relations manager vs. Manager of corporate communications
A manager of corporate communications is primarily responsible for overseeing the external and internal communications in a company, ensuring everything is running smoothly. They are also responsible for managing marketing communications and public relations, and even developing various marketing content. There are also instances where they must handle a company's social media platforms, review communication materials, and provide progress reports of different projects and programs. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage team members, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real media relations manager resumes. While media relations manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "web content," "subject matter experts," "press materials," and "news stories," managers of corporate communications use skills like "project management," "employee engagement," "powerpoint," and "executive communications."
On average, managers of corporate communications earn a lower salary than media relations managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managers of corporate communications earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $104,720. Whereas media relations managers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $109,115.In general, managers of corporate communications achieve similar levels of education than media relations managers. They're 2.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 5.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for media relations managers in the next 3-5 years?
Clarke Caywood
Professor (founder group of IMC and PR in Medill) Joint Doctorate in Business and Journalism - Univ. Wis. Madison, Northwestern University
Media relations manager vs. Assistant director, communications
An assistant communications director is responsible for managing the communicative operations across the company, handling the dissemination of information among employees, and releasing management announcements to media platforms. Assistant communications directors draft project techniques and strategies, as well as monitoring social media contents and press releases. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing recent trends that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. An assistant communications director must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in assessing business information to prevent miscommunications and negative publications.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from media relations manager resumes include skills like "strategic communications," "crisis communications," "corporate communications," and "fact sheets," whereas an assistant director, communications is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "property management," "professional development," and "alumni. "
Assistant directors, communications earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $65,113. Comparatively, media relations managers have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $109,115.Most assistant directors, communications achieve a similar degree level compared to media relations managers. For example, they're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Media relations manager vs. Public information officer
The primary job of a public information officer involves the promotion of a positive public image on social media. Public information officers offer significant information during a crisis. They collect facts and distribute them to the media and organize special events like awards ceremonies. Typically, they work for large organizations and government agencies. They maintain their online presence that can be part of the duties of public information. Also, they can work for long hours on an irregular schedule, especially when the incidents or situations affect the organization.
Types of media relations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
