Public Relations - Assistant Account Executive

Motion is an integrated marketing agency with a broad range of clients and services. We're independently owned and results-driven, proudly pushing our clients further than they could ever go alone — building multi-channel brand ecosystems that are distinctive, inspiring, and connected at every touchpoint.

This role is based in Chicago, IL, and follows a hybrid work model, including weekly in-office presence. To be eligible, candidates must be capable of fulfilling Form I-9 Federal Employment Eligibility Verification. 

Let's get social: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-motion-agency/

The Assistant Account Executive (AAE) will provide support to the greater account team. In this role, the AAE should be well-organized and adaptable, paying close attention to detail on all projects while also gaining a deeper understanding of their client’s goals and the overall media relations landscape. This will include aiding account teams with media list development, regular media monitoring and reporting, pitch ideation and creation, and media outreach. The AAE will also play a role in new business development, providing thorough research that will help the team in creating proposals and presentations. Finally, the AAE will be required to show flexibility and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, learning how to prioritize assignments across multiple accounts while still delivering consistent, strong results. 

Account Responsibilities 

• Expected to possess a basic knowledge of the media landscape as well as producing ideas on how to best communicate with reporters and producers. 
• Generate consistent placements for clients in local, trade, and national media outlets. 
• Begin developing relationships with reporters, producers, bloggers, etc. on both a local and national level. 
• Responsible for overseeing media list development, working alongside interns to research client-appropriate reporters and outlets. 
• Continually monitor media for client placements while paying close attention to competitor coverage and industry trends, sharing insights and relevant news with the wider team. 
• Showcase development of writing skills by creating pitches, press materials, award entries and client-facing emails. 
• Provide on-site support for client events, including events potentially taking place on nights and weekends periodically. Attend on-site and in-studio broadcast segments and interviews, lending assistance to the client and staff as needed.

New Business Role 

• Serve as support on new business projects, aiding senior team members with robust research on the potential client lead, pulling competitive audits, and deep dives on target outlets/reporters. 
• Participate in new business brainstorms, offering thoughts on potential story angles, target media, and larger marketing, PR and Social Media tactics. 
• Balance new business projects with existing client work when needed. 
• Begin to gain an understanding of the significance of the new business process and its relation to the growth and success of Motion. 

Agency/Internal Responsibilities   

• Demonstrate proactivity, offering to assist team members with projects, lending a hand on new business proposals, and ultimately being flexible and willing to chip in when needed. 
• Be open and honest with colleagues, informing them in a professional manner if you need guidance or further clarification or if you need additional assistance on projects. 
• Foster a positive attitude around the office, helping to create a constructive work environment. 
• Begin to learn about offerings at Motion, including other departments and committees, becoming actively involved in growing the company culture. 

• A  Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, or Integrated Communications.  
• Relevant internship experience in Communications, Marketing, or related fields including research, advertising, management consulting, media, journalism, business, or publishing.  
• Ability to work on a variety of types of programs including, but not limited to media outreach to local, trade, and national media outlets, story-mining and development of press materials, working closely with teammates and clients to bring earned media programs to life and share ongoing trends, results, and insights.  
• Demonstrates business writing and communication skills.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).   

A general overview of benefits can be found on our careers page: https://agencyinmotion.com/careers/

We are an EEOC employer. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.