Senior Public Relations Specialist, Expedia Group
Expedia Brands, U.S.
$82.5-115.5k
Potential to increase pay up to $132,000, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role
Office located in Domain 11, Austin
Online travel shopping company
Job no longer available
Online travel shopping company
1001+ employees
Job no longer available
$82.5-115.5k
Potential to increase pay up to $132,000, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role
Office located in Domain 11, Austin
1001+ employees
Company mission
Expedia's mission is to power global travel for everyone, everywhere.
Role
Who you are
- In this role, you will possess a strong understanding of the consumer and travel media landscape
- You will have a keen eye for developing stories and initiatives which will break through the noise and position Hotels.com and Vrbo as the preferred lodging and travel brands
- You will have experience in an agency and/or in-house public relations role as well as possess a can-do attitude, be self-driven, and able to learn quickly
- 5+ years' experience in a media relations or PR role in a consumer agency or in-house environment
- Strong experience in media relations, possessing excellent understanding of media landscape with key consumer media contacts across print, online and broadcast media outlets
- Ability to manage changing requirements as well as having outstanding project management and organizational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to synthesize data into logical conclusions and recommendations to uncover unique storytelling opportunities for Hotels.com and Vrbo
- Ability to think creatively and adapt quickly to match the travel landscape
- Able to handle fast-paced environments, with quick-turn timelines
- Strong background in the travel, hospitality, lodging, vacation rental or e-commerce industry. Experience working with well-known brands is a plus
- Issues/crisis management experience is a plus
- Demonstrated experience in highly matrixed organizations is a plus
What the job involves
- As the Senior Public Relations Specialist for Vrbo and Hotels.com, you will be responsible for supporting consumer PR strategy and execution for two leading lodging brands
- You’ll be tasked with helping develop and carry out creative, highly engaging PR activities that resonate strongly with travelers and top tier consumer media
- You will work closely with stakeholders within the company to protect and promote brand narratives in the U.S. and build brand love among target audiences
- You will act as an invaluable collaborator on high profile marketing campaigns, storytelling opportunities and risks to the brand
- You’ll be based in Los Angeles or Austin, reporting to the Director of PR for the U.S. and U.K. (based in Chicago, Illinois) and work closely with the global Communications and Marketing teams
- Support the development of strategic story angles and PR initiatives that will result in standout coverage for the Vrbo and Hotels.com in the U.S., including campaign ideation, project management, development of press materials, and more
- Implement integrated communications plans that support Vrbo and Hotels.com objectives, working closely with U.S. and global PR colleagues and the broader marketing and communications teams. Must have ability to work across marketing, social media, and creative teams to align PR efforts with broader business objectives
- Responsible for working closely with U.S. Media Relations on activities across earned, owned and paid channels within PR’s remit, including helping to manage press trips and media events and maintaining PR editorial/activity calendars for Vrbo and Hotels.com U.S
- Proactively identify opportunities to drive brand love for Vrbo and Hotels.com through earned media and storytelling, using and analyzing data and insights to inform storytelling and support business initiatives
- Responsible for monitoring industry and competitor media coverage, and staying up to date with trends and developments in the lodging and vacation rental industry
- Support operational needs, including vendor and agency management, development of coverage and status reports and budget tracking
- With the global crisis team, help manage reactive PR issues that influence perceptions of the brand and impact the greater Expedia Group business
Our take
Expedia is an online travel agency. They enable users to access a wide range of services including airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, and various attractions and services via the world wide web and telephone travel agents. Its primary web businesses include Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, and Egencia.com.
Between 2021 and 2022, Expedia has been selling and merging a list of its sub-brands in a bid to simplify its operations, including Egencia and Classic Vacations. Due to plummeting share prices, mostly in the case of its sub-brands, Expedia has been leveraging its subsidiaries' customer base and merging them into the company’s core brand. Contrasting this move, Expedia has also been partnering with tech start-ups in a bid to make travel more accessible to underserved groups. Becoming Rentable, a travel company for the disabled is one of 12 startups that are part of Expedia Group’s new Open World Accelerator Programme.
What this indicates is Expedia’s shift from buying other travel companies and a move towards enhancing the experience of its preexisting customer base. This move is aiding in a long-term plan for greater long-term traveler loyalty, utilizing Expedia’s vast amounts of data, not just from reviews, but from check-in, cleanliness, communication, cancelations, etc to inform how guests experience a property.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
9% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Company benefits
- Leisure Travel Reimbursement
- Travel Discounts
- Family & Friends Discount
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Reimbursement
- Global Service Awards
- Business Travel Medical Insurance
- Matching Gifts
- Expert Medical Opinion
- New Parent Benefit
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 401K Plan
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
Company HQ
Interbay, Seattle, WA
Leadership
Peter M. Kern
(CEO, not founder)Has been a director of Expedia Group since completion of the IAC/Expedia Group Spin-Off and has served as Vice Chairman of Expedia Group since June 2018. Previously CEO of Tribune Media and Managing Partner of InterMedia Partners VII, LP, a private equity firm.
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