Media Relations Manager

About Langmead & Baker

Langmead & Baker Ltd is a public relations consultancy located in Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia, that specializes in strategic communications, reputation management, and media relations for a wide range of clients. The firm offers expert guidance, strong connections with media outlets, clear messaging, and reliable implementation.

Role Overview

The Media Relations Manager will focus on cultivating and maintaining robust relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and media platforms across Zambia. The position involves securing high-quality earned media exposure, advising clients on media strategies, preparing media content, managing interviews and briefings, and ensuring all media engagements uphold the company's standards and ethical principles.

This hands-on role demands sound news judgment, excellent writing skills, confidence in engaging with media personnel, and the ability to juggle multiple clients, deadlines, and media opportunities simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and nurture connections with journalists, editors, producers, and media houses across print, broadcast, online, and digital sectors.
• Maintain and update comprehensive media contact lists.
• Proactively pitch stories, features, interviews, and opinion pieces to relevant media outlets.
• Engage with journalists persistently and professionally to foster relations without causing friction.
• Organize media presence at launches, briefings, events, and client activities.
• Monitor newsroom priorities and identify editorial opportunities.
• Advise clients and internal teams on optimal media strategies tailored to campaigns or announcements.
• Craft compelling story angles and transform client information into media-friendly narratives.
• Recommend effective mixes of traditional, digital, and social media amplification.
• Assist with crisis and issues management where media engagement is necessary.
• Anticipate potential reputational risks and suggest appropriate messaging and scheduling.
• Draft press materials including releases, advisories, statements, speeches, opinion articles, Q&A documents, and briefing notes.
• Prepare briefing packs and interview guidance for journalists and spokespersons.
• Edit and refine client materials to enhance clarity, tone, news value, and appeal.
• Plan and coordinate press briefings, interviews, media tours, and event media coverage.
• Prepare clients and spokespeople adequately for media interactions.
• Handle logistics related to media attendance, photography, filming, and coverage opportunities.
• Track and report on media coverage, assessing quality, messaging impact, tone, relevance, and audience engagement.
• Keep detailed records of media outreach, engagement, and coverage results.
• Offer insights and recommendations based on media feedback and campaign performance analysis.
• Collaborate closely with account managers to align media activity with client goals.
• Participate in client meetings to provide media strategy advice.
• Support new business pitches and proposals with media insights and campaign ideas.
• Mentor junior staff to enhance their media pitching, writing, and news judgment abilities.

Candidate Profile

• Experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, communications, or related agency work.
• Existing strong connections with Zambian media houses, journalists, editors, or producers.
• Proven track record of securing earned media placements.
• Competence in drafting press releases, statements, advisories, articles, and briefing documents.
• Experience managing media for corporate, public sector, development, consumer, or reputation-focused clients.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Strong news judgment with an eye for media-worthy stories.
• Confident pitching and follow-up skills.
• Effective client and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to work well under pressure and act swiftly on media opportunities.
• Understanding of traditional and digital media channels as well as social platforms.
• High attention to detail and accuracy commitment.
• Capability to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and media interactions concurrently.

Personal Characteristics

• Professional, credible, and self-assured demeanor.
• Ethical, transparent, and responsible in all media dealings.
• Calm and composed when working under pressure.
• Proactive and focused on identifying opportunities.
• Persistent yet courteous in follow-up communications.
• Organized and adherent to deadlines.
• Inquisitive about news, politics, business, society, and current events.
• Trustworthy and capable of building solid relationships with media, clients, and colleagues.
• Comfortable offering straightforward advice, even when a client's story may not suit media platforms.

Media Ethics

The role requires maintaining high professional and ethical standards. The manager must discern clearly between earned editorial content, paid media, sponsored materials, and authentic event logistics, ensuring transparency and integrity in all interactions with media and clients.

Success Indicators

• More active and stronger ties with key media contacts.
• Improved consistency and quality of earned media coverage for clients.
• Press materials that are accurate, polished, and engaging.
• Clients receiving practical, clear media guidance.
• Enhanced journalist responsiveness to media pitches.
• Timely delivery of insightful media coverage reports.
• Robust support to account teams with media insights and coverage generation.
• Adherence to high ethical standards in media engagement.

Additional Information

Employment Type: Full-time, Onsite in Lusaka, Zambia.