Chicago Casting Calls & Acting Auditions

Position Title:      Manager, Media Relations

Department:        Media Relations

FLSA Status:        Exempt

Reports To:          Vice President, Media Relations

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers.

POSITION SUMMARY

Work with destination media/social media and other targeted niche media/social media to generate publicity globally for Chicago as a must-see tourist destination. Working directly for and closely with the Vice President of Media Relations, the Manager, Media Relations will be responsible for planning and implementing media relations and global social media programs, performing all traditional media relations functions including writing, initiating media contact and placement, pitching and securing, corresponding with media/influencers and partners, providing direct support to media/influencers for individual visits, press tours, in-market media missions, events, receptions, marketplaces, and more, as well as working on the global social media/influencer relations program.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

N/A

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement media, influencer, and global social relations programs and strategies for identified national, key, state, regional, border, and local media markets in our key global markets (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Japan, China) and other secondary and/or developing markets as needed.
• Drive the Chicago local, regional, national and international messaging to key global markets and align that message, and the ways in which it is delivered, with other Choose Chicago channels, including paid media campaigns, social media, etc.
• Build productive long-term relationships with media and influencers in key global markets, including national, local and key city-based travel/meeting trade and consumer media, bloggers, freelancers, influencers, etc.
• Plan, develop, implement, pitch, lead and actively manage press/influencer trips, individual media/influencer visits, in-market media missions, promotions, live remotes, media marketplaces, events, receptions, etc.
• Conduct proactive and reactive media initiatives including building itineraries for visiting media/influencers, providing information, photos/video, writing press releases and story ideas to pitch, promote, and follow up to secure placements with media/influencers, including news stories and features

·        Field media/influencer queries, lead and liaise daily with media/influencers, often by telephone, email and/or in person

• Research, write and distribute news/press releases and inspiration pages to pitch and follow up with media to generate positive media coverage on the destination, as well as talking points, interview bookings, etc.
• Support niche markets (e.g., culinary, art, culture, family, neighborhoods, architecture, LGBTQ+, etc.) and major events, (e.g. Chicago Architecture Biennial, Expo Chicago, Chicago Restaurant Week, Chicago Theatre Week, etc.), liaising with partners and other Choose Chicago business units
• Collaborate with Choose Chicago departments (Marketing, Global Development, Cultural Tourism, Convention Sales, Partnership, Neighborhoods, DEI, etc.) to align activities and bring media/influencer relations opportunities, recommendations and support to their initiatives  
• Develop global social media engagement and content calendar by country – post cadence, content, spend, audience, targeting, as needed with the support of our in market social media agencies which reinforces our brand and services to relevant audiences
• Develop benchmark KPls and best practices to continuously improve global campaigns based on data/metrics
• Manage program budget for assigned markets and maintain accurate, timely accounting practices including the processing of invoices, balancing of program of work budgets, etc.
• Work with and support public relations and social media agencies globally who work on Choose Chicago’s behalf in specific countries, alongside the VP of Global Media and Influencer Relations; work with in-market social media teams on developing content strategy
• Monitor, track and save successful media/influencer coverage/placements as a result of work in markets and produce monthly (sometimes weekly/biweekly) reporting on such results to share with various partners, committees, board, meetings, etc. Track monthly global social media agency and other markets independently report on campaign performance and share campaign results with media relations VP.

·        Report to partners on media/influencer coverage and ensure partners are aware of the value Choose Chicago Global Media and Influencer Relations generates (individually and collectively)

·        Keep up to date on the destination, media outlets and contacts, as well as social media/influencers and online opportunities

·        Monitor and assess market news and top stories, including new trends in the hospitality and tourism industry

·        Manage and maintain market media/influencer lists; develop customized lists for specific projects and distribution

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·        Bachelor’s degree in communications and/or Public/Media Relations preferred or equivalent practical experience; destination management organization (DMO) experience a plus

·        Minimum of five (5) years of travel-related public/media relations experience showing progressive growth and learning and/or training equal to the skill level needed to perform this position

·        Established relationships with travel, lifestyle, and other niche media across the globe a plus

• Experience working collaboratively with public/social media agencies and external partners to achieve media/social media results
• Familiarity of tourism experiences in the Chicagoland area
• Capability of managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines and flexibility to adapt quickly and creatively to changing circumstances

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·        Experience working directly with media/influencers and an understanding of media/influencers needs, including pitching press releases and securing media/influencer coverage – knowledge of consumer, lifestyle, travel and other niche media (i.e., culinary, family, culture, LGBTQ+, etc.) a plus

·        Outstanding verbal and interpersonal skills for frequent interaction with customers and suppliers

·        Ability to think creatively, strategically and work within budget

·        A strong team orientation is critical based on the collaborative culture of Choose Chicago and the visitor industry

·        Ability to illustrate a results-focused approach and commitment to going the extra mile for key stakeholders, including adapting quickly to situations and managing demands

·        Energetic, self-starter and resourceful problem solver – keeps projects on timeline

·        High attention to detail with the ability to manage and work simultaneously on multiple projects with conflicting demands for multiple clients/directors, and to organize and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

·        Ability to effectively use MS Office products including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, as well as Cision media directory (and/or other industry platforms) and imaging applications

• Ability to represent Choose Chicago in a professional manner while interfacing with internal and external clients
• Professional media and social media skills
• A high degree of confidentiality, discretion and sound judgment
• Fluent in languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, French, German a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

·        Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time

·        Ability to sit for extended periods of time in performing the work

·        Ability to grasp objects utilizing the fingers (fine motor manipulation)

·        Ability to travel by ground transportation (includes personal and/or public transportation) as required in performing work

·        Ability to travel throughout the city, including prolonged standing and walking as it is very often necessary when delivering items to members of the media or partners

·        Ability to work nights and weekends as needed – working evenings include, but are not limited to attending business exchanges and venue openings/receptions/client appreciation events, media/influencer functions, etc.

·        Ability to travel out of market (approximately 33% in the future), as well as evening and weekend work in/out of market to host visiting media/influencers and support major events

TO APPLY:

This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Qualified candidates should submit resume and include salary requirements to [email protected]

Choose Chicago

A BIT ABOUT US

The Marketing Store is a consumer engagement agency that believes in the power of experience to build brands. Experience is any valuable interaction between a brand and consumer, and it’s the currency of 21st century marketing; consumers are placing greater value on it, technology provides brands with greater opportunity to deliver, and it’s the key to unlocking huge growth.

Our core skill is therefore transforming brands, products and services into experiences. To leave lasting impressions and influence future purchasing decisions.

We do this through our expertise in the sharing of experience and the science of experience. Yet none of this can be achieved without our investment in people and culture. We’re committed to breaking down silos to create more efficient and better-connected working processes. That’s why we are a people-first company, built to serve consumer-first brands.

TMS/HAVI requires all of its US based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved.

WHAT ARE OUR PEOPLE LIKE?

Our agency is home to creative problem solvers. Those who overcome any obstacle to successfully put consumer-first ideas, products and technologies into market.

People who wear their talent lightly. Willing to be part of a close community that pushes them to be better.

Because our goal is to bring people and brands closer together. Closer insights, closer connections and closer collaboration breed better, more effective work. It’s this dedication to getting closer that drives us to go further.

WHO WE WORK WITH

We apply insightful, strategic, brand-building processes to the creation industry-leading, award-winning promotions, digital experiences, retail activations, CRM and loyalty programs, premiums and brand events.

Our clients include McDonald’s, Nissan, Infiniti, T-Mobile and more!

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

We’re not just looking for an experienced junior-level Art Director, but rather for a junior-level Art Director hungry and looking to experience something completely different. Because that is just what we are doing! We are changing the way families and children play with Happy Meals by bringing them imaginative and engaging digital experiences that enhance and completely re-imagine playtime of the Happy Meal toy.

So if you have a passion for toys, playing, gaming, UX, design, illustration and most of all…enjoy having fun — then we want you! Teaming up with an exceptionally talented group of diverse and inclusive creative thinkers, you will help build the future of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE AGENCY

With a young-at-heart personality and quirky, spirited attitude — your playfulness and creativity shines throughout your work and creative aesthetic. You are an imaginative creator who not only thinks outside of the box, but strives to shatter it. You love creating experiences that push people out of their comfort zone, redefining how they interact with the digital world around them.

As an Associate Art Director, you get excited diving into new projects, and enjoy ideating big concepts just as much as cranking out stellar designs and illustrations. With a strong desire to learn and a passion for innovation, you are keen on always bringing a fresh perspective and voice to the table, and you have the conceptual design chops to match. From idea to execution — you collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams to drive the creation of on-brand, interactive experiences in a digital space.

RESPONSIBILITIES

This role will work closely with Strategists, Art Directors, Copywriters and Motion Artists on the conceptualization and execution of digital games and brand experiences for Happy Meal. As an integral part of a larger multi-disciplinary team, you’ll design and manage many aspects of the visual creative.

Digging deeper on the details:

• Work and collaborate with the wider creative team to build big ideas and designs for digital brand experiences that invoke interaction and engagement
• Support and own the creative process from original concepts to final implementation
• Interpret briefs in order to create designs that are strategically driven and compelling – not just “pretty”
• Manage and balance multiple jobs and projects daily, meeting timelines and expectations, while measuring and improving efficiency
• Maintain knowledge and skills of creative applications, staying on top of new and evolving technology
• Think conceptually and strategically to discover the best way to problem-solve for design and technical challenges
• Be a constant learner, with a passion for actively keeping ahead of the curve and exploring digital tools, trends/standard methodologies, and styles, as well as advertising and design styles
• Be a team-player to others by collaborating, working hard and always innovating and pushing creative boundaries and expectations

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• 1-3 years working as an Jr. Art Director including past internship experience
• Experience across digital (web, mobile, responsive, web-based apps), gaming / mobile gaming, traditional, integrated, 360 programs
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• Solid illustration skills are a huge plus
• Ability to quickly ideate and create a branded look & feel for various client needs and programs, taking projects from initial concept development thru hands-on design execution
• Strong attention to detail while not missing the big picture
• Understanding of mobile best-practices and user interaction in the digital space
• Comfortable operating in full digital workflows, including but not limited to:

1. Interpret wireframes into graphic UIs
2. Design experience for both mobile and desktop
3. Work within accessibility standards
4. Prep and deliver pixel-perfect files for delivery

• Ability to collaborate with other Art Directors, Motion Artists, and Copywriters to design, create, and deliver fun and engaging digital experiences for a young audience
• Interpret storyboards into digital assets, with the forethought of how they need to be designed for animation

And we’d love you to have

• Experience and/or interest in digital / mobile gaming, video games, social, pop culture, toys, collectibles
• Working knowledge of Sketch and Abstract
• Knowledge and/or understanding of motion / experience partnering with Motion Designers
• Playful and fun design aesthetic
• Accessibility knowledge a plus

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

US based employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination is required.

The Marketing Store

GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR – COPY-SIDE

WE WANT YOU … TO WANT US

This is no Cheap Trick: Plan B is on the hunt for a dynamic, rockstar creative leader with serious copywriting chops to help our inclusive, equitable, and sustainability-minded agency soar to even greater heights – and our talented band of creatives wants you … to want us.

SEE our ‘We Want You… to Want Us’ VIDEO:

WE WANT YOUR LEADERSHIP. The Group Creative Director (Copy) is responsible for the overall supervision of the agency’s creative department and product, both design and copy, but with an emphasis on the quality of the copy.

WE WANT YOUR STRATEGIC & CREATIVE VISION. The Group Creative Director (Copy) interfaces with the client, account teams, creative department, production department, and management team, and is responsible for taking strategic marketing plans and interpreting them into “big ideas” with a unique point of view.

WE WANT YOUR SAVVY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. The Group Creative Director (Copy) advises the Creative Directors regarding which creative team members to assign to which creative assignments. He/she works closely with creative staff to ensure quality results, fostering professional growth while working to bring everyone’s work to the highest standard possible.

WE WANT YOUR EYE FOR DETAIL. The Group Creative Director (Copy) ultimately approves all work before presentation to the client, reviewing it with account leaders and taking their requests into consideration. Most of all, the Group Creative Director (Copy) recognizes the importance of the creative product with regard to the future success of the agency and is a steward of excellence behind all work the agency produces.

WE WANT YOU … TO APPLY NOW!

 CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Directs the creative product, striving for excellence from concept to completion of every project.
• Provides insightful, groundbreaking, and/or original creative concepts as required for specific assignments.
• Produces director-level copy across client accounts as needed.
• Collaborates with account group to joint estimate projects, assign resources, and define scope/schedule.
• Works closely with account teams to solve marketing problems through smart advertising and best practices.
• Manages Creative department, Creative Directors, Creative Production Services and Freelance resources.
• Confirms delivery schedules with account teams and oversees assignment of jobs to creative team members.
• Oversees creative solutions produced by team and offers valuable input to elevate quality of creative product.
• Serves as client-facing representative of the agency and effectively “sells” creative at client presentations.
• Responsible for the selection and management of freelance services.
• Assists in screening and interviewing applicants for creative positions, hiring and terminating to ensure creative department is appropriately staffed.
• Actively promotes the agency’s growth and exposure via new business pitches, self-promotional efforts, and RFP response/proposal development.
• Maintains current working knowledge of computer-related skills, software, and programs to ensure entire creative department and staff remain on the leading edge of essential technology and skills.
• Makes recommendations to ensure profitability for the agency.
• Recommends hardware and software purchases to keep department current and efficient.
• Supports agency operations as a senior member of the agency’s management team.

WHY PLAN B?

Plan B is never boring. We’ve managed to maintain a flat organizational structure, an agile development style and the entrepreneurial spirit of a start-up, even after 20 years in business. We work with both Fortune 500 companies and the innovative startups who move culture forward – so the work is rewarding, relevant and dialed into the exciting ambience of our connected world.

As a highly strategic creative boutique, we understand how game-changing, category-killing creative work emerges from powerful insights that are properly driven through complex multi-channel executions.

• Highly-Competitive Salary
• Equity/Profit-Sharing Program
• 401K
• Liberal PTO Program (including summer hours)
• Continuing Education Support Opportunities
• Full Health Benefits
• Limited Matching Contributions to Any Non-profit of Your Choice
• Decent coffee
• Smart, fun, passionate, ass-busting colleagues
• We don’t do weekends (or many late nights)
• Etc.

We also recognize the critical difference today’s companies can (and must) make with regard to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. The values of conservation and efficiency have long been core to Plan B’s cultural and operational foundation, and are even more of a priority today in light of how much our world is changing.

In partnership, we work best with clients and vendors who share our passion for protecting the planet – companies whose operational and cultural priorities have shifted toward placing less value on GDP, and more value on GDH.

In practice, we are habitually seeking ways to do more with less, to reduce unnecessary waste and emissions, and to eagerly assist clients looking to promote their efforts to be responsible global citizens.

Plan B doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

APPLY TODAY

Please send a short cover letter, link to your portfolio and attached resume to [email protected]

Local Chicago candidates only.

IF YOU ROCK, HERE’S HOW WE’LL ROLL …

 You made the first cut! Now what?*

1. First, we’ll email you a few additional qualifying questions (there are no wrong/right answers)

2. Next, we’ll schedule you for a 30-minute Google Meet video call with some of our team

3. If we think you’re the jam, we’ll have you take an online personality test (just to make sure you’re weird enough): https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/rheti?gclid=CjwKCAjwi8iXBhBeEiwAKbUofbtVQxNMOns5Ekt2l02MwwHk7O1cCwaib-2XlYPTDxD9yUx88bh44hoC3h0QAvD_BwE

4. And finally, an in-person interview with the Creative Team at the Plan B HQ, 116 W. Illinois St. #3W, Chicago (please be prepared to present a work case study)

(*We’re not looking to drag the process out! Our aim is to complete these steps within 10 working days.)

Plan B®

NBC ‘Chicago Fire’ Girls Casting Call

NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Casting Call for Dog Owners

NBC ‘Chicago Fire’ Halloween Scene Casting Call

NBC ‘Chicago Fire’ Kids Casting Call

NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Beach Scene Extras Casting Call

NBC ‘Chicago Fire’ Beach Scene Extras Casting Call