Media Relations Specialist

This is an in-office position at our Maryville office. Candidates who are not currently located in the Knoxville metro area will not be considered for employment. Who We Are: Ripley PR, Inc. is an award-winning global public relations agency specializing in skilled trades, franchising, manufacturing and B2B technology. Founded in 2013, Ripley PR has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 5 Franchise PR Agency, and was named by Merit Awards as PR Agency of the Year in 2025. These awards represent our focus and commitment to creating PR campaigns that drive results for our global clients. Orange Orchard, a division of Ripley PR founded in 2018, focuses on promoting vegan and plant‑based brands, and increasing awareness and fundraising for animal welfare organizations. Adventure PR, a division of Ripley PR founded in 2025, focuses on adventure travel and tourism and the RV industry. What We Do: Offering a full range of strategic communication services, including traditional media relations and crisis management strategies, Ripley PR uses a blend of strategic business accounting and creative public relations branding to tell compelling stories and deliver measurable results. How We Work: At Ripley PR, we are solution‑focused, outgoing, positive, and rally around producing high‑quality work for our clients. We’re different than most PR agencies. Our teams of specialists provide clients with simple, ongoing analytics, showing the true return on investment. We want clients to know what we do on a daily basis to promote and advocate for their brand. We enjoy a fast‑paced environment with open communication. With a work‑hard, play‑hard mentality, we enjoy a challenge as much as we enjoy our free office snacks, goal incentives, bi‑monthly office massages and occasional short days. What You’ll Do: Ripley PR is looking for an exceptional Media Relations Specialist who is a goal‑oriented client cheerleader, willing to pick up the phone and tell our clients’ stories to national media, fearlessly pitching and developing new story angles. We’re looking for someone with these characteristics: Responsibilities: Develop, plan and execute public relations tactics for assigned clients Must be able to write clearly and consistently produce materials with accurate spelling and grammar; excellent verbal communication skills; strong knowledge in AP Style Participate in assigned client meetings; create agendas and meeting minutes Collaborate and brainstorm with other members of the agency team Works well under pressure and in a fast‑paced environment Maintain agency time sheets, records and generate reports as assigned Coordinate, arrange and participate in client events, meetings and other activities as needed Stay up to date on emerging industry trends Proficient in PC, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, WordPress, content management systems Qualifications: 4+ years of related professional writing experience (not including college coursework) Agency experience is a plus Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing or a related field Experience in the following industries is a plus: B2B, franchise, construction, environmental/eco‑conscious organizations, animal welfare, plant‑based products Demonstrated experience and success pitching client stories and press releases via telephone and email to all levels of media; earning local, regional and national mainstream, business, and trade media coverage for agency clients Creating, directing and executing agency and client media relations and crisis management plans Writing and pitching press releases and bylined stories to targeted media outlets Developing goals and strategies for media penetration, and building media contacts and relationships Working with clients to train and develop subject matter experts for media interactions and relationships Leading the agency in finding and developing relationships with key influencers in each client industry Excellent time‑management and multitasking ability Proficient in PC, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, WordPress, content management systems Benefits Offered: 401K Investment Program (with Company Match!) 14 Paid Holidays Paid Time Off Free Snacks in the Office Bi‑Monthly Office Massages Early Outs and Bonus Incentives An environment to grow your level of knowledge and experience Work Location: Full‑time, On Location in Maryville, Tennessee. (This is not a remote or hybrid position.) #J-18808-Ljbffr