Job Description
Senior Publicist – National Publicity (Searchlight Pictures)
The Walt Disney Studios
Los Angeles, CA
Searchlight Pictures is a global specialty film company that develops, produces, finances and acquires motion pictures for both worldwide theatrical and streaming releases. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and is part of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in 1994 as Fox Searchlight Pictures, the company’s titles have grossed over $5 billion worldwide, amassing 28 Golden Globe Awards, 49 BAFTA awards, and 43 Academy Awards including five Best Picture winners since 2009: Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave, Birdman, The Shape of Water, and Nomadland. Upcoming feature releases include Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s award-winning Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), David Bruckner’s The Night House, Michael Showalter’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Scott Cooper’s Antlers, Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley, Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, and Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins. The company includes Searchlight Television, which develops and produces series for streaming, network, and cable partners.
Searchlight Pictures seeks a Senior Publicist for the Domestic Publicity department. Position directly reports to a Senior Vice President of National Publicity. The Senior Publicist is responsible for helping to plan, execute and manage all aspects of film publicity campaigns.
Responsibilities:
Work closely with the Director on the team to divide up and pitch select Los Angeles-based national and local press for the team’s assigned films.
Help oversee the planning and implementation of press days, premiere press lines, and press conferences.
Co-manage and support the Coordinator position on the team.
Cover talent in various capacities such as at press days and junkets, premieres, screening Q&As, interviews and award shows.
Work interdepartmentally to ensure film campaign goals are achieved.
Work closely with the Director and the digital team on partnerships and publicity.
Create and maintain various schedules, calendars, status reports and publicity memos.
Develop and maintain close and communicative relationships with assigned press, executives, talent and reps.
Manage assigned below the line talent.
Will focus on Searchlight streaming releases in addition to theatrical titles.
Liaise with specialty agencies for specific projects.
Participate in brainstorming meetings.
Be able to identify and develop publicity opportunities.
Be able to think creatively and outside of the box on publicity campaigns.
Oversee coordinators in the department in the maintaining of our master press list.
Basic Qualifications:
5 years in a motion picture studio, agency or publicity firm required.
Adept at multitasking and organize/prioritize workload effectively.
Have extensive knowledge of LA-based entertainment press and talent reps.
Awards campaign experience is a plus.
Ability to work well under time constraints in a fast-paced environment and maintain a positive and professional attitude.
Must be a self-starter and proactive in starting projects, asking questions and taking on departmental projects/tasks as needed.
Have exceptional oral and written communication skills and be very organized and detail oriented.
Be able to work flexible hours, including overtime during the week and on weekends, when necessary.
Adept at social media tools and trends.
Preferred Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications or related field preferred.