SVP, Publicity and Communications (ABC News)

The SVP of Publicity and Communications for ABC News will serve as the lead publicity and communications strategist for the brand, its content and its talent, and act as a strategic advisor to the President of ABC News. This executive manages a team of communications professionals to develop effective and powerful messaging across all media, reports to the EVP of Publicity and Communications for Disney Entertainment Television, and collaborates with senior leaders across the company on matters related to ABC News and its on-air talent.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the development and execution of communications strategies that promote, enhance and protect the ABC News brand, its content and its talent on all platforms.
• Lead the development and execution of media relations campaigns across business, trade and consumer outlets.
• Pro-actively provide counsel, insight and guidance to the President of ABC News on all communications and publicity matters inside and outside the company.
• Develop crisis communications strategies as needed and manage their execution to stay ahead of critical issues involving talent, content and personnel.
• Provide strategic guidance and tactical assistance to executives to prepare them for media events, speeches, presentations, and interviews.
• Manage and develop a team of communications professionals to ensure their continued growth and collaboration on best practices.
• Collaborate with other departments within ABC News as well as Disney Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company to share and disseminate information and contribute to strategic planning for company initiatives.
• Manage department budget to ensure efficient use of department resources and highest ROI.

Requirements:

• A track record managing a team of communications, media relations and/or publicity professionals in the Entertainment space or ideally, in Television News.
• Significant hands-on experience successfully crafting and executing communications/messaging campaigns across a variety of trade and consumer media, ideally in support of News content.
• Extensive relationships with journalists and/or editors in television, print, radio, digital, etc. that cover News and/or Entertainment.
• Ability to develop crisis communications campaigns quickly and effectively, and to successfully execute them in a timely manner.
• Ability to function as a highly effective member of ABC News’ senior management team and to work collaboratively with internal constituents.
• Experience coaching senior executives for public appearances in the press, on panels, conferences, etc.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be charismatic and persuasive, able to motivate and inspire subordinates, peers and superiors.
• Must be autonomous and decisive, able to oversee and manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Exceptional values including impeccable personal and business ethics.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $327, 600 to $450,450 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

ABC News is America’s No. 1 news source, providing straightforward, fact-driven journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital and audio. ABC’s award-winning programs include “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “20/20,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” and “The View”. Other platforms include ABC News Live, the network’s 24/7 streaming channel; ABC News Studios, a premium, narrative nonfiction original production house; ABC News Digital, comprised of a diverse audience of more than 53 million monthly average users; ABC Audio, the premier source for radio news and industry-leading podcasts; FiveThirtyEight, renowned data journalism organization; and NewsOne, the affiliate news service. Based in New York City, ABC News is comprised of three U.S. bureaus and eight international bureaus, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world.