Public Relations Specialist, Middle East
Research In Motion Limited® (RIM)® is a world leader in the mobile communications market and has a history of developing breakthrough wireless solutions. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies is used by thousands of organizations around the world and includes the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld™ product line, software development tools and software/hardware licensing agreements. RIM is seeking driven individuals who can take our wireless data products to the next level in the global wireless market. Are you ready to make a difference in the world of mobile communications with RIM?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Public Relations specialist supports PR activities in the Middle East & North Africa region with the implementation of a variety of media/ social media related projects. The Public relations specialist is responsible for working with colleagues across the RIM Middle East and RIM EMEA teams, as well as external agencies to help promote BlackBerry to key media partners and social media platforms.
Responsibilities:
- Media Relations - working with the appointed PR agency to execute PR programs to target press in UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, ,Bahrain, Oman and Egypt, including a variety of proactive/reactive initiatives such as product reviews, pitches and interviews. Responsible for working with the PR team to get RIM messages across to the media.
- Press Releases - writing press releases and submitting them for approval and distribution.
- New Product launches - working with the PR team to implement high profile and innovative PR activities surrounding launches.
Blogger/social media programmes - developing and implementing PR programmes targeting bloggers and the online community to boost BlackBerry's presence on social network sites/forums/discussions groups.
- Tradeshow PR participation - supporting PR activities for tradeshows and implementing a variety of tactics designed to promote BlackBerry products.
The Public Relations specialist is required to have a good knowledge of the media landscape and cross media functions (eg; social media campaigns integrated with PR and traditional media). The position requires someone who can manage multiple stakeholders across different markets in the Middle East. The project work involves strategizing, building PR support for road maps, helping to build launch plans for new product/news, developing the messaging around launches. There are tried and true PR tactics that the Specialist can utilize but often they are required to find new ways to meet influencers. The position requires fluidity, good relationships, the ability to network - and initiative - including the ability to own projects and run with them. Steps taken in a typical process include: reacting, investigating, providing counsel, messaging.
Must be able to make confident and effective decisions in a variety of complex situations. When making decisions must keep in mind the media/ social media community reactions and how that affects the company as a whole; as well as the variant cultural requirements of Middle Eastern & North African audiences. Decisions around media/ social media relations involve working with the appointed PR agency to execute tactics with target press/ social media platforms. Decisions involving PR and social media tactics include developing and managing the approval and distribution of content. Decisions involving new product launches involve implementing high profile and innovative PR activities surrounding launches. These decisions include what will be sent out to the media/ social media, what tactics will serve each launch the best and who the target audience are (how they will be tiered). Internally escalations are to the PR Manager, Middle East & North Africa.
This individual must be a self starter who works well under instruction and guidance. Responsible for working with the PR agency and PR Manager to deliver on campaigns across multiple Middle Eastern & North African countries. Must align decisions with all PR strategy in order to ensure consistent messaging.
The approach to the PR programme involves integrating PR tactics for product launches etc with social media platforms to target different audiences across the Middle East & North Africa. The PR specialist must be driven by experience that allows them to know how to approach challenges and use tools at their disposal to fix them. The nature of the position involves on-going learning from past PR campaigns such as product launches, as well as media reactions. In addition, learning the complexities of RIM as a whole and the technology surrounding the products is a challenge which requires specific knowledge. Innovation and thinking outside of the box is the key to success in this position.
This role reports to the PR Manager Middle East, who reports to the Senior Manager Corporate Communications (Rest of EMEA). Other internal stakeholders include: Global PR team, Middle East Managing Director and management team (Middle East, North Africa and EMEA), Product Management teams and Marketing teams. External stakeholders and audiences include: PR agencies, press, analysts, bloggers, social media community, partners and the BlackBerry user community (both consumer and enterprise customers). The nature of the interactions is to both maintain and establish relationships. Interactions involve imparting knowledge, influencing, collaborating, motivating and persuading. The PR Specialist also deals with highly technical and sensitive issues.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Self-motivated, takes initiative, and quality-driven. Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills. Confident and effective communication skills; ability to effectively present and influence media and audiences; innovative thinking and problem solving skills are essential. Good project management, organizational and decision making skills. Ability to be flexible, proactive, organized and meet deadlines. Strong understanding of Middle Eastern & North African cultural requirements. Willing to travel.
University or College degree, 1-3 years of experience in PR, preferably in an agency environment. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Capable of multi-tasking in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Arabic language skills a must; French language skills would be an asset.
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