PR Manager

About The Role & Team

Drive publicity around Disney Consumer Products (DCP) licensing and retail initiatives with media & influencers, managing implementation of campaigns and press office activity. You will also be leading the day-to-day development and delivery of creative communications campaigns (with end-to-end ownership for identified initiatives) for DCP’s priority franchises in the UK & EMEA. The team are responsible for elevating the earned media appeal of retail campaigns and programs to drive relevance for The Walt Disney Company’s (TWDC) brands and franchises.

This role is a Fixed-term contract running until 30/06/2025, based in the office 4 days a week in London, Hammersmith.

What You Will You Do

• Provide strategic PR counsel to internal clients, commercial, franchise and marketing teams, as well as senior leadership
• Maintain excellent media relationships (both consumer and corporate) and liaise with senior journalists to deliver on message coverage and manage the media agenda as appropriate
• Keep up to date on PR industry and media landscape and be able to identify strategic PR and event opportunities
• Monitor brand landscape for potential issues and work closely with issues management team to develop crisis communication plans, draft statements etc.
• Share best practices across the TWDC PR community in EMEA and globally
• Lead meetings with marketing and franchise teams, as well as lead or participate in meetings, presentations and brainstorming sessions to cultivate creative ideas and PR opportunities
• Drive DCP messages and initiatives on owned channels, including social media platforms, working closely with internal and digital communications to ensure consistent messaging and engaging content is delivered
• Develop comprehensive reports to communicate results for key PR campaigns and initiatives to executive team and key stakeholders
• Build relationships with category, franchise and retail teams, and proactively share plans and results to maximise impact
• Develop relationships with and ensure the appropriate flow of information between relevant stakeholders in the business, including marketing, sales and retail
• Continue to build relationships with marketing franchise teams across the company to drive press coverage that grows the franchises and proactively seek out opportunities
• Maintain external awareness of the market by managing a broad range of external press contacts and by monitoring media for competitor activity and potential opportunities for the Disney organisation
• Represent the organisation with external industry bodies as required

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Ability to create and execute high impact PR campaigns from conception to delivery
• Ability to manage relationships with external agencies, draft agency briefs and select preferred partners
• Good commercial awareness and budget management skills
• Ability to understand and work within the legal guidelines provided by the legal department
• Good understanding of the Disney brand, its reception and profile in different markets
• Unrivalled media relations skills with a hands-on approach to media outreach
• Social media savvy with strong creative sensibility and ability to conceptualise campaign ideas autonomously
• Skilled at crafting media pitches
• Persuasive with strong presentation skills and ability to pitch an idea and build consensus around campaigns
• Strong managerial and mentoring skills
• An ability to be agile to capitalise on the moment and identify new opportunities
• Resilient and nimble in an ever-changing landscape
• Excellent strategic approach to problem solving and innovation
• Exceptional planning and organisation skills
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.