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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting publicity campaigns for bestselling authors and books.
- Company: Join Penguin Books, a renowned publisher with a legacy of bestsellers and cultural impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values individuality and celebrates success in publishing.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in impactful book publicity and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Apply by 20th July with your CV and cover letter to showcase your fit.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head of Publicity, Century (Cornerstone)
Do you love working on commercial fiction and non-fiction? Can you create stand-out campaigns to capture attention and drive sales? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior publicist to join the award-winning, dynamic and collaborative team to work on our Century imprint. This role will report into the Cornerstone Director of Publicity & Media Relations.
About the department
Cornerstone is home to seven imprints: Century, Del Rey, Inklore, Hutchinson Heinemann, #Merky Books, Cornerstone Press and Evermore and has an enviable track record of bestsellers, prize winners and culture-shaping books, working with many of the world’s most interesting voices, often throughout their entire career. Our books span genres, categories and marketplaces globally.
Century is one of the most successful and well-regarded commercial imprints in the UK. Century Non-Fiction publish books from authors who are the very best at what they do. Our authors include online creators such as Simon Squibb, Hayley Morris and Dr Karan Rajan; acclaimed figures including Gareth Southgate, Serena Williams and Tim Peake; and global artists, actors and musicians including Banksy, Al Pacino, Barbra Streisand and Will Smith. On the fiction side, we publish some of the biggest brand authors in the UK, including James Patterson, Lisa Jewell, Harlan Coben, Paige Toon, Diana Gabaldon and Rob Rinder.
The role
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded book publicist.
You will get to work with some of the most creative publishing colleagues in the business, learning from a team of experts in a friendly and inclusive environment that values individuality, champions creativity, and celebrates individual and team successes. You will be involved in every stage of the publishing process from early acquisitions meetings to devising and executing campaign plans and much more. You will represent a strong voice in the division and will need to establish yourself as a trusted expert for colleagues and contacts both within and outside the organisation. You will build strong working relationships with authors and agents to provide the highest level of author care.
Key responsibilities:
- Independently create, plan and drive strategic media and events campaigns for major titles
- Play a key role in the acquisition of new books, providing PR feedback and contributing to and attending pitches to acquire new talent
- Communicate effectively with internal departments, including sales and marketing, editorial, rights and international colleagues
- Work closely with colleagues to strategize and execute the most effective outreach campaigns for booksellers and influencers to build excitement and noise on social media
- Maintain and develop excellent relationships with high-profile and influential stakeholders, such as authors, agents, journalists and global publishing partners
What you’ll bring
Essential criteria:
- A proven track record of planning and delivering well organised and highly impactful promotional campaigns to reach target audiences and drive book sales
- Experience of planning international author visits to include media appearances and public events, liaising with multiple stakeholders, agents and management companies
- A rich bank of established media contacts and relationships
- Have excellent communication skills, both written and in person, and be confident pitching and presenting internally and externally.
- Strong personal organisation and time management skills, the ability to multitask and manage competing priorities
- You can work at pace and aren't phased by changing priorities or unforeseen obstacles, you relish the challenge!
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July.
Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
Salary
Up to £50,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from the office 3 days a week. Cornerstone’s office days are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Company: Penguin Books Limited
Country: United Kingdom
State/Region: London
City: London
Postal Code: SW11 7BW
Job ID: 281169
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Head of Publicity, Century (Cornerstone) (London) employer: Bertelsmann
Contact Detail:
Bertelsmann Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Publicity, Century (Cornerstone) (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the publishing industry, especially those who have experience in publicity. Attend industry events, book fairs, and literary festivals to meet potential contacts who can provide insights or even referrals for the Head of Publicity role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Century's recent campaigns and authors. Understanding their style and approach will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show how you can contribute to their ongoing success.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous campaign successes in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven sales and engaged audiences, as this will highlight your ability to create impactful publicity strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your media contacts and relationships during discussions. Highlighting your established connections can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Publicity, Century (Cornerstone) (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in publicity and campaign management. Focus on your achievements in previous roles, especially those that demonstrate your ability to drive book sales and manage high-profile author relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly outline why you are the perfect fit for the Head of Publicity role. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your skills in creating impactful campaigns and managing multiple stakeholders.
Showcase Your Media Contacts: In your application, mention any established media contacts you have that could benefit the role. Highlight your experience in planning international author visits and how your network can help promote new titles effectively.
Demonstrate Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects your written communication skills. Be clear, concise, and engaging in your writing style, as this will give a good impression of your ability to pitch and present ideas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bertelsmann
✨Showcase Your Campaign Successes
Prepare to discuss specific campaigns you've led in the past. Highlight how you planned and executed them, the challenges you faced, and the results achieved. This will demonstrate your ability to create impactful publicity strategies.
✨Know the Authors and Their Works
Familiarise yourself with the authors published by Century and their notable works. Being able to discuss their books and how you would promote them shows genuine interest and understanding of the imprint's portfolio.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires effective communication with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to showcase your pitching skills, as this is crucial for both internal and external presentations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated changing priorities or unforeseen obstacles in your previous roles, as this will highlight your resilience and organisational skills.
