PR Manager (12-month Fixed Term Contract, Mat Cover)

About the Role & Team

This role will require you to drive publicity around the DCP licensing business, key products and retail initiatives with media and influencers.

Lead the day-to-day development and delivery of creative communications campaigns for DCP’s priority franchises in the market and across EMEA.  Elevate the earned media appeal of products, retail campaigns and programs to drive relevance for The Walt Disney Company’s (TWDC) brands and franchises. 

Work in partnership with the wider communications team to create and lead innovative programs that drive franchise goals, and ensure they are capable of cutting through the media clutter by leveraging technology, digital trends, aspirational partners and pop culture trends. 

Partner with the broader marketing, category and brand commercialisation teams to ensure PR driven campaigns are fully leveraged across all channels in the market and EMEA. Build relationships across the business to maximise campaign success and synergy opportunities. 

If successful, you will be reporting into the Senior Communications Manager. This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week.

What You Will Do

• Maintain excellent contacts with the media and influencer space, and constantly seek out new opportunities to grow network 

• Responsible for overseeing the supporting team, agency resources, ensuring they are briefed in a timely manner and campaigns deliver against business goals  

• Work with the Senior Communications Manager to define media and influencer strategy around specific campaigns and initiatives to deliver the best possible results 

• Lead the execution of campaigns to support Disney Consumer Products licensing, publishing, games, Stores and key franchises 

• Present campaign plans to key stakeholders to ensure all activity is made known and maximised across the business e.g. windowing PR assets with marketing  

• Write and ensure the appropriate distribution of press releases, review and approve the work of more junior colleagues  

• Maintain and manage effective campaign budgets  

• Responsible for the overall management of press relations for all licensed products and retail activation for the Disney Princess, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm brands in the local market 

• Optimise all communication/PR opportunities for key Hardlines products, depending on seasonality,  current events, releases and franchise priorities in consultation with the relevant stakeholders in order to meet business objectives 

• Write and distribute press releases and media alerts for the general press  

• Crisis management: responsible for defending the brand's reputation and assisting licensees with crisis management in market, supporting the Senior Communications Manager (where applicable) 

• Develop comprehensive reports to communicate results for key PR campaigns and initiatives to executive team and key stakeholders  

• Keep up-to-date on PR industry and media landscape and be able to identify strategic PR and event opportunities
• Monitor brand landscape for potential issues and work closely with issues management team to develop crisis communication plans, draft statements, etc. 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Ability to create and execute high impact PR campaigns from conception to delivery 

• Ability to manage relationships with external agencies, draft agency briefs and select preferred partners  

• Strong commercial awareness and budget management skills  

• Ability to understand and work within the legal guidelines provided by the legal department 

• Good understanding of the Disney brand, its reception and profile in relevant markets  

• Strong media relations skills with a hands-on approach to media outreach  

• Social media savvy with strong creative sensibility and ability to conceptualise campaign ideas autonomously 

• Skilled at crafting news hooks and media pitches 

• Persuasive with strong presentation skills and ability to pitch an idea and build consensus around campaigns  

• Computer literate including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Keynote 

• Written and spoken English for business use, essential; professional proficiency in other relevant European languages necessary for local market, essential 

• Excellent strategic approach to problem solving and innovation 

• Exceptional planning and organisation skills 

• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA 

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.