Public Relations & Media Coordinator
Position Summary
The Public Relations & Media Coordinator promotes Monroe-West Monroe and Ouachita Parish as a premier tourism destination through proactive media relations, earned media campaigns, destination storytelling and community engagement. This role is responsible for discovering compelling stories throughout the community, translating those stories into strong media pitches, building relationships with travel journalists and media organizations, and helping shape how Monroe-West Monroe is perceived outside the market. The position requires curiosity, initiative, sound judgment, strong follow-through and the ability to independently identify and pursue public relations opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Media Relations & Strategy
Develop and execute proactive media relations efforts that build awareness of Monroe-West Monroe, including identifying and pitching compelling destination stories, cultivating relationships with travel media, responding to media opportunities and supporting strategic PR campaigns.
Destination Story Development & Community Engagement
Get to know Monroe-West Monroe firsthand - its people, businesses, attractions, events and experiences - and turn those discoveries into authentic, compelling stories and PR opportunities that inspire visitation.
Familiarization Tours & Partnerships
Identify opportunities to host qualified travel media and coordinate individual media visits and FAM tours in partnership with local tourism partners and state and regional PR teams.
Content Development
Develop engaging written content and supporting materials for media outreach and DMWM communications, conduct interviews, contribute to newsletters and help extend earned-media stories across digital channels.
Community & Partner Relations
Build strong relationships with local businesses, tourism partners, community organizations and state and regional tourism partners while helping increase awareness of Discover Monroe-West Monroe, our work and the impact of tourism in Ouachita Parish.
Technology & Innovation
Use emerging technology and PR tools responsibly to improve research, media targeting, pitch development, monitoring and workflow efficiency while maintaining accuracy and professional judgment.
Analytics & Reporting
Track earned-media results and established PR KPIs, maintain an accurate media database and use performance insights to strengthen future PR efforts.
Collaboration & Special Projects
Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to connect PR efforts with broader destination marketing priorities and support key tourism initiatives, industry events and special projects.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism or a related field.
Experience in public relations, communications, journalism, media or a related field preferred; tourism or hospitality experience is a plus but not required.
Excellent writer and communicator with a natural ability to recognize and develop a compelling story.
Curious, outgoing and confident building relationships and starting conversations with new people.
Self-starter who takes initiative, brings ideas to the table and follows opportunities through to completion.
Strong understanding of media, audiences and how public relations can shape awareness and perception.
Organized, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects, relationships and deadlines.
Comfortable using technology and emerging tools to work smarter and more effectively.
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Sheila Snow at ssnow@monroe-westmonroe.org.
