ReThink Media — Media Associate, Money in Politics and Fair Courts

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ReThink Media -- Media Associate, Money in Politics and Fair Courts Published: January 6, 2015
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ReThink Media is a unique, nonprofit, media and communications organization that works to strengthen the collaborative media and communications capacity of nonprofit think tanks, experts, and advocacy groups working in three distinct issue areas and sectors. These include our Money in Politics and Fair Courts, Peace and Security, and Security and Rights Collaboratives.

ReThink Media is seeking qualified applicants for our Media Associate position with our Money in Politics and Fair Courts Communications Collaborative comprised of more than 60 organizations working to strengthen our democracy, curb the influx of money in politics, and ensure an independent judiciary free of outside influence. The project seeks to strengthen the communications capacity of organizations in the sector, to broaden the movement for reform, and to develop shared messaging and media strategies that channel the growing outrage at decisions such as Citizens United into effective action and change.

We provide our member organizations with access to a state-of-the-art media database, press distribution, and clipping service. We provide ongoing training in critical media and communications skills. We monitor and conduct extensive media and opinion research, and assist groups with message development. We also work to improve collaboration and coordination amongst organizations and assist groups and campaigns with direct media and public relations support, including coordinating rapid response, assisting with op-ed and editorial campaigns, and the pitching and placement of spokespeople.

The Media Associate is responsible for coordinating, training and assisting Rethink Media’s member groups in monitoring both traditional and online news coverage and responding rapidly and effectively to breaking news. This includes providing groups with a daily digest of relevant media clips, monitoring and alerting groups to breaking news stories and social media trends, and tracking key reporters, Hill communications staff, and opposition spokespeople.  Additionally she/he will be responsible for assisting in the coordination and implementation of key issue campaigns, building and maintaining shared press lists, assisting groups in building individual press lists, and where appropriate assisting with the writing, editing, pitching, and placement of content and spokespeople.

The Media Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Managing Director of the Money in Politics and Fair Courts Collaborative with regular coordination and planning with the co-Founders and other members of the team, including both our Digital Strategist and our Media and Public Opinion Analyst. She/he will also assist with the supervision of interns and fellows on an ongoing basis.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to the issues outlined above and 2-3 years of experience working in media relations, community or political organizing, issue advocacy communications, or communications strategy. ReThink’s approach to communications is grounded in movement building and in building sector-wide communications capacity towards a shared policy objective. Our goal is helping organizations become stronger, faster, more agile, and more effective in their media work.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES:

Specific goals will be set quarterly, corresponding to the following duties:

·            Provide our member groups with a daily digest of relevant news, opinion and social media coverage of the Money in Politics and Fair Courts collaboratives’ priority issues and identify key opportunities for rapid response.

·            Assist in the development of timely and effective talking points, messaging tips, op-eds and letters to the editor in response to breaking news developments or ahead of known media opportunities.

·            Develop expertise regarding the key reporters and outlets covering the issues. Assist and train groups in developing and maintaining tailored press lists. Assist in updating ReThink Media’s press lists and its unique online Journalist Profiles site, including updating reporter pitch notes according to coverage and identifying additional outlets/ reporters to target.

·            Develop in-depth knowledge of the Money in Politics and Fair Courts organizations we work with, the issues they address, their unique media profiles, their key spokespeople and areas of expertise, and be able to quickly identify who the best organizations or experts are to connect to a reporter or to write an op-ed, LTE etc., on a breaking story.

·            Maintain the list of subscribers to our daily clips, develop a mechanism for recruiting new subscribers, respond to analytics on the open rates, and implement strategies for increasing those rates. Facilitate periodic evaluations/surveys of subscribers as to the ongoing value and potential improvements that might be implemented.

·            Staff specific coalition efforts as directed by the Managing Director and the co-Founders.

·            Assist with pitching and placement of spokespeople and content, developing online strategies, implementing strategies for outreach to Hill communications staff, and tracking our efforts.

·            Assist senior staff with supporting the individual media work and communications capacity of our member groups. This often includes assisting groups in developing a strategic communications plan, in implementing media strategies, in building press lists, assisting in the editing and development of media content, assisting with pitching and placement, providing media training, conducting audits of coverage, and expert profiles etc.,

·            Assist as needed with longer-term research projects such as media and public opinion audits and coverage analysis of specific issues, frames and outlets.

·            Help provide training to member organizations and spokespeople in media skills such as conducting effective broadcast interviews, writing op-eds, engaging editorial boards, driving social media strategies, and others.

·            Assist in the ongoing recruitment, supervision, and management of interns and fellows.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

·            Very strong writing, editing, communications and presentation skills.

·            Demonstrated commitment to the issues outlined above and 2-3 years of experience working in media relations, community or political organizing or communications strategy, or all of the above.

·            Experience monitoring and analyzing news coverage, writing press materials, developing media strategies and/or pitching stories.

·            A creative and strategic ability to frame ideas, develop stories and synthesize complex policy issues in a way that appeals to the news media and a wide variety of audiences.

·            Demonstrated experience in public interest communications, with preference for experience in advocacy/political public relations.

·            Excellent news sense and political savvy.

·            Knowledge of print, broadcast and electronic news media.

·            A proven track record managing a fast-paced, multi-faceted workload, ideally involving media and communications.

·            Strong training, mentoring and/or supervisory skills.

·            Proven track record as a strong team player, in team building and in project management skills.

·            Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with varying levels of organization staff, clients, contractors, foundations and the media.

·            Demonstrated resourcefulness and flexibility in approach to project assignments.

·            Strong research and administrative skills.

·            Experience with Filemaker, Vocus, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Webex or Drupal a plus.

Additional Qualifications & Salary:

This is a full-time position, potentially based in either our California Bay Area or Washington, DC office with modest travel to conferences, training workshops and periodic staff meetings. This is a mid-level position which comes with a generous benefits, vacation, sabbatical and retirement package. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

ReThink Media, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

How to Apply:

To apply, please carefully follow these instructions. Send your cover letter in the body of the email, do not send it as an attachment. State the reason for your interest in the position, provide a brief summary of your professional experience, your stated salary requirements and address your background in relation to working on these issues. If you have applied for a previous position with Rethink Media please indicate this in your email. Attach your resume to the email and make sure to include your name in the title of the attachment (eg: resume.EmilyJones.doc). Email your application to settleson@verizon.net, subject line: ReThink Media MiP Media Associate.

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