The role is responsible for driving awareness and increasing brand exposure for Musica Viva's activities nationally. This includes the generation of pre- and on-tour publicity for touring ensembles (international and Australian artists) to stimulate ticket sales for mainstage presentations including the season launch. PR support and promotion of Coffee Concerts, Musica Viva In Schools nationally, world music programme Café Carnivale, CountryWide, Menage and Musica Viva’s associated festivals. The PR Manager will be a point of liaison with all State and Branch Managers, the management and marketing teams on all PR related matters. The role is responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage Musica Viva’s profile and its associated corporate partner sponsors, donors and/or supporting trusts and foundations; and identifying strategic alliances and opportunities to profile the organisation as a whole.

The position reports to the Director of Marketing and liaises closely with the General Manager and Artistic Director as well as senior management acting as spokespeople on behalf of the organisation, as appropriate.


Responsibilities include:

1. Identifying and implementing effective publicity strategies to maximise coverage for Musica Viva activities and brand.

2. Writing and distributing accurate and timely press releases.

3. Acquiring and supplying materials to the media for promotion of national tours as part of Musica Viva’s mainstage concerts, MVIS programmes and Ensembles, Coffee Concerts, CountryWide, Menage, Café Carnivale and Musica Viva associated festivals. This includes where necessary, arranging photo shoots and interviews.

4. Recommending and managing content for Musica Viva’s national newsletter “Vivace”.

5. Identifying opportunities for public relations’ events or stories to promote Musica Viva, the organisation, to work strategically with key activities as detailed in 2 in addition to offering PR support for fundraising events around the country.

6. Establishing and maintaining good media relations with arts media in particular, including critics, on a national basis.

7. Working with ensemble agents to procure up to date information and materials (including photos, recordings, web site details and video footage) to identify story angles and opportunities for exposure in Australia both prior to and during tours.

8. Working with electronic media programmers and arts editors to identify opportunities for on-air broadcast of footage or recordings featuring international/Australian ensembles touring for Musica Viva.

9. Assisting with the preparation and implementation of special events and activities as may be required from a PR perspective for the organisation. This includes subscription season launches, fundraising events and sponsor activities as well as concert pre/post and interval events.

10. Media hosting at concerts and other associated events.

11. To research and establish good networks for promotional opportunities of Musica Viva product across the organisation. This would include media liaison, reader promotions or listener offers, cross promotions with other organisations as appropriate.

12. Budget implementation and tracking.

13. Identification and promotion of Musica Viva corporate partners with all media. This may include working with sponsor company publicity agents as appropriate.

14 Analysis of media coverage achieved on a tour-by-tour, campaign by campaign basis and collation of press clippings for board and other reports.

15 Other duties as required.


Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years’ previous experience in a public relations role.

• Good media contacts, particularly with arts media

• Out of hours work and interstate travel will be required

• A self starter with initiative and ability to identify story ideas and angles and follow through for desired outcomes.

• Experience in event planning and production.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with particular experience in writing media releases.

• Knowledge of classical music and desire to work in the arts industry.

• Proficiency in Windows 2000, Microsoft Office (including Excel spreadsheet experience).

• Eye for detail and ability to manage workload to achieve outcomes, sometimes with tight deadlines.