Â
Position Title:Â Â Â Â Â Â Manager, Media Relations
Department:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Media Relations
FLSA Status:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Exempt
Reports To:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Vice President, Media Relations
Â
Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers.
Â
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.
Â
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:
N/A
Â
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 Â
- 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
Â
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
Â
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
Â
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
Related jobs:
Teen Boys Casting – TV Series Scene
Job Description
A television series is casting teen boys for a featured scene set in the early 1950s. This opportunity is ideal for young performers who can authentically portray the look and feel of the era and are comfortable working on a professional TV set. The production is moving quickly and seeking talent who closely matches the period-specific requirements.
Job Responsibilities
-
Appear in a scripted scene portraying teenage characters
-
Follow direction from the production and casting team
-
Maintain continuity with period-appropriate wardrobe and grooming
-
Work professionally alongside cast, crew, and a required chaperone
Requirements
-
Male teens who can appear ages 13–14
-
Actual age range approximately 11–17
-
Caucasian appearance
-
Hair suitable for an early 1950s look
-
Willing to receive a period-appropriate haircut if requested
-
Must have a chaperone age 21+ available
-
Full availability for the required shoot day
-
Ability to complete required security paperwork by the stated deadline
Compensation
-
Paid television background role
-
Compensation details provided upon selection
Job Description
A voice production project is seeking professional dubbing teams and studios to work on short dramas and audiovisual content. This opportunity is ideal for experienced voice-over teams with strong lip-sync skills and the ability to deliver polished, broadcast-ready dubbing across multiple languages. Projects require fast turnaround times and consistent audio quality.
Job Responsibilities
-
Provide professional dubbing for short drama and audiovisual content
-
Deliver accurate lip-sync performances that match on-screen dialogue
-
Collaborate as a coordinated voice team to maintain tonal consistency
-
Record and deliver high-quality audio within project timelines
-
Respond promptly to audition and revision requests
Requirements
-
Teams or studios with a minimum of 6 voice talents
-
3 male voices
-
3 female voices
-
-
Proven experience in dubbing and/or voice-over work
-
Lip-sync dubbing experience strongly preferred
-
Access to a professional studio or high-quality home studio setup
-
Ability to complete projects within 5–7 days, depending on scope
-
Languages needed (one or more):
-
Russian
-
Ukrainian
-
Mongolian
-
Tagalog
-
Turkish
-
Thai
-
Spanish
-
Latin American Spanish
-
Czech
-
Bulgarian
-
Polish
-
Romanian
-
Portuguese
-
Korean
-
Japanese
-
Hindi
-
German
-
Bengali
-
Compensation
-
Paid voice-over and dubbing opportunity
-
Rates based on team experience and price per finished minute
Job Description
A non-union commercial production is seeking background talent for an upcoming shoot. This project is looking for authentic, everyday individuals who can naturally appear on camera in lifestyle-style commercial scenes. Couples are especially encouraged to apply. The production is focused on real, relatable performances rather than scripted acting.
Job Responsibilities
-
Appear as background talent in a commercial shoot
-
Follow on-set direction from the production team
-
Perform natural, unscripted actions suitable for commercial scenes
-
Maintain professionalism and continuity throughout filming
Requirements
-
Ages 40–70
-
Open to individuals and couples
-
Must be local to Albuquerque or Santa Fe
-
Non-union talent only
-
No commercials aired within the past 2 years
-
Comfortable appearing on camera in background roles
Compensation
-
$150 per day
-
Paid, non-union commercial project
Job Description
A non-union background acting opportunity is available for a major sports broadcast project. The production is seeking young-looking female background actors to portray teenage fans in a large-scale stadium environment. This is a high-energy shoot tied to a professional football game and offers strong pay for a single filming day.
Job Responsibilities
-
Appear as a background fan in crowd scenes
-
React naturally and enthusiastically during live-action moments
-
Follow direction from assistant directors and production staff
-
Maintain continuity throughout filming
Requirements
-
Female, ages 18–22 (must be 18+, able to play younger)
-
Caucasian appearance
-
Medium-length brown hair preferred
-
Small to medium build to fit provided wardrobe
-
Comfortable working in a live sports environment
-
Non-union talent only
Compensation
-
$600 per day
-
Transportation reimbursement provided
-
Possible rehearsal pay of $300 if required
Job Description
An upcoming student thesis film is seeking background extras for a dramatic funeral scene filmed at a church location. This production is part of a senior thesis project and will feature both interior and exterior scenes. The opportunity is ideal for individuals interested in gaining on-set experience and being part of a narrative-driven independent film.
Job Responsibilities
-
Appear as an extra in a large funeral scene
-
Follow on-set direction from the production team
-
Maintain continuity and professionalism during filming
-
Participate in interior and exterior background scenes as needed
Requirements
-
Open to all genders and backgrounds
-
Must be 18 years or older
-
Comfortable appearing in crowd scenes
-
Available during the filming window
Compensation
-
Food provided on set
-
On-screen credit
-
Copy of the final film upon distribution
Job Description
An independent short film is casting actors and crew members for a no-budget, emotionally driven project filming in London. This poetic drama explores themes of loss, grief, love, and quiet resilience through an intimate, character-focused story. The production welcomes emerging talent and is especially open to filmmaking and acting students looking to build experience and reel-worthy material.
Job Responsibilities
-
Perform scripted scenes for a dramatic short film
-
Portray emotionally grounded, character-driven performances
-
Collaborate closely with a small independent production team
-
Participate professionally throughout a multi-day shoot
Requirements
-
Open to actors of all experience levels
-
Seeking:
-
Actors
-
One voice actor
-
Crew members
-
-
Filmmaking and acting students are strongly encouraged to apply
-
Must be available to film in London
Compensation
-
No-budget independent short film
-
Valuable on-set experience
-
High-quality footage provided for reels
Voice Acting Casting – Multiple Paid Roles
Job Description
A paid voice acting project is seeking talented performers to voice multiple characters in a scripted, character-driven production. This opportunity is ideal for voice actors with strong comedic timing, expressive delivery, and the ability to bring distinct personalities to life through voice alone. The project features morning-show style dialogue and imaginative storytelling with both comedic and larger-than-life characters.
Job Responsibilities
-
Perform scripted voice dialogue for a narrative-driven audio production
-
Bring distinct character personalities to life through vocal performance
-
Deliver comedic, expressive, and emotionally engaging reads
-
Collaborate with other voice actors and creative team members
-
Take direction to refine tone, pacing, and character consistency
Requirements
-
Strong voice acting skills with clear diction and expressive range
-
Ability to portray one or more of the following characters:
-
Chad (he/him): Morning show co-host, pop-culture obsessed, comedic, dislikes science
-
Voice type: Baritone or bari-tenor
-
-
Nina (she/her): Morning show co-host, upbeat, science-loving, curious and enthusiastic
-
Voice type: Alto
-
-
Aria Marx (she/her): Movie star and tiny superhero character, includes additional featured roles
-
Requires versatility and strong character range
-
-
-
Comfortable delivering comedic and dialogue-heavy performances
-
Ability to follow creative direction and work collaboratively
Compensation
-
Paid voice acting opportunity
-
Compensation details provided upon selection
Job Description
A fashion runway production is seeking confident, professional models to showcase bold, form-fitting designs in an upcoming runway show. This opportunity is ideal for models with strong stage presence, clean movement, and the ability to present high-fashion looks with confidence and precision.
Job Responsibilities
-
Walk the runway with confidence and strong posture
-
Model form-fitting, high-fashion garments
-
Take direction from casting and creative teams
-
Maintain professionalism during fittings, rehearsals, and show execution
Requirements
-
Open to female and male models
-
Strong runway walk and presentation skills
-
Must be camera-ready and well-groomed
-
Required attire for casting:
-
Women: All-black, form-fitting outfit with closed-toe heels or boots (minimum 4-inch heel)
-
Men: All-black attire with dress shoes or black boots
-
Compensation
-
Paid runway modeling opportunity
-
Compensation details provided upon selection
Job Description
A growing digital brand is seeking confident UGC brand ambassadors who love creating aesthetic, lifestyle-driven content. This opportunity is ideal for social media creators who are comfortable on camera and enjoy producing engaging videos for Instagram and TikTok. Selected ambassadors will help represent the brand through authentic, fun, and visually appealing content.
Job Responsibilities
-
Create short-form UGC content for Instagram and TikTok
-
Represent the brand through lifestyle, sport, or fun social content
-
Engage your audience with authentic, confident on-camera presence
-
Collaborate with the brand on ambassador-style content initiatives
Requirements
-
Female creators based in:
-
Poland
-
Czech Republic
-
Slovakia
-
Hungary
-
Italy
-
Romania
-
-
Active on Instagram or TikTok
-
Minimum of 5,000 followers
-
Primarily female audience
-
Comfortable on camera and confident creating aesthetic content
Compensation
-
Paid brand ambassador opportunity
-
Potential for ongoing collaborations
-
Compensation details shared upon selection
Job Description
A documentary project is seeking individuals interested in sharing their personal journey around cosmetic or aesthetic transformation. This production explores evolving beauty standards, confidence, self-image, and the emotional motivations behind personal change. Participants will take part in an intimate, story-driven documentary experience designed to spark thoughtful conversation and global awareness.
Job Responsibilities
-
Share personal experiences related to cosmetic or aesthetic transformation
-
Participate in documentary-style interviews and storytelling
-
Allow moments of real-life reflection and personal growth to be captured on camera
-
Collaborate openly with the documentary production team
Requirements
-
Open to individuals based in the United States
-
Considering or planning a cosmetic or aesthetic procedure, or currently on a personal transformation journey
-
Comfortable speaking openly about identity, confidence, and self-image
-
No prior on-camera experience required
Compensation
-
Documentary participation opportunity
-
Compensation details provided upon selection
Job Description
A paid opportunity is available for a Photo Assistant or Lighting Assistant to support a professional photoshoot in Paris. This role is ideal for creative professionals with hands-on set experience who can assist with lighting setups, equipment handling, and overall shoot flow. Candidates with additional digital or digi-tech experience are highly encouraged to apply.
Job Responsibilities
-
Assist the photographer with lighting setups and adjustments
-
Support on-set production needs and equipment handling
-
Help maintain an efficient and organized workflow during the shoot
-
Collaborate with the creative team to ensure smooth execution
-
Provide additional digital or technical support when needed
Requirements
-
Experience as a photo assistant or lighting assistant
-
Familiarity with studio or on-location shoot environments
-
Digital or digi-tech experience is a plus
-
Reliable, professional, and able to work efficiently under time constraints
-
Must be available to work in Paris
Compensation
-
Paid assistant role
-
Competitive rate based on experience
Job Description
A premium beauty and fashion brand is seeking a talented Community Manager with a strong artistic eye and a passion for visual storytelling. This paid creative role is ideal for professionals who understand luxury branding and can translate aesthetics into engaging digital experiences. The position focuses on shaping brand voice, cultivating community engagement, and supporting high-end visual content across social platforms.
Job Responsibilities
-
Manage and grow the brand’s online community across social media platforms
-
Collaborate on visual storytelling aligned with luxury beauty and fashion aesthetics
-
Support editorial content planning and execution
-
Contribute to social media strategy with a focus on engagement and brand identity
-
Ensure consistent tone, visuals, and messaging across channels
Requirements
-
Proven experience in community management or social media for beauty or fashion brands
-
Strong understanding of luxury branding and visual identity
-
Eye for aesthetics, editorial content, and visual storytelling
-
Familiarity with social media strategy and audience engagement
-
Creative, detail-oriented, and collaborative mindset
Compensation
-
Paid position
-
Competitive compensation based on experience