Consumer Public Relations Specialist, Rakuten Kobo

• 3-5 years of PR/Communications agency or in-house experience with a proven track record in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, English, or an allied field
• Experience working in public relations within North America (US and/or Canada) and confidence working with diverse regional teams is required
• Strong communicator with exemplary writing and editing skills
• Strategic thinker and detail-oriented worker adept at managing timelines and communicating progress
• Ability to effectively manage a network of internal stakeholders and PR agencies
• Experience with event planning and execution
• Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and help develop supporting programs
• Available for occasional travel as needed
• A positive team approach to working with internal and external partners

Desirable

• The Consumer PR Specialist, North America is responsible for driving Rakuten Kobo's brand awareness and engagement across key North American markets (Canada and the United States)
• Reporting to the Senior Manager of Communications, this role primarily focuses on strategic media relations, earned influencer programming, and overseeing local PR agencies in both Canada and the US
• A critical component of this role is elevating Rakuten Kobo's innovative hardware and accessories
• The Specialist will be instrumental in positioning our eReaders and related products to media and earned influencers, securing impactful coverage that highlights their unique features, benefits, and overall contribution to the reading experience
• This includes developing compelling narratives and executing targeted outreach to tech, lifestyle, and consumer product journalists, as well as influential voices in the technology and reading categories
• The Specialist will further elevate the Kobo brand through creative trend pitches, robust product review programs for product, events, strategic partnerships, and content collaborations
• This role requires a strong communicator and collaborator who can partner with and motivate cross-functional teams at Kobo, including content, R&D, marketing, and business development, to craft compelling stories for Rakuten Kobo and its diverse product offerings
• Communications Strategy & Execution:
• Executing the overall communications strategy, including product launches, consumer PR outreach, earned influencer programming, and media/influencer/consumer events, in close collaboration with the Senior Manager of Communications
• Organizing and executing media opportunities and speaking engagements to drive Kobo’s brand awareness across North America, including media tours and interviews with local agency assistance
• Agency & Market Management:
• Helping to oversee public relations agencies for North American markets (US and Canada), including planning, briefing, and managing ongoing activities, and analyzing results to inform future efforts
• Monitoring, Reporting & Analysis:
• Leading reporting across North American markets, tracking results, measuring against KPIs, identifying notable wins/trends, and coordinating agency reporting
• Competitor news tracking and analysis to identify gaps and opportunities for Kobo brand
• Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement:
• Liaising with Rakuten Kobo’s internal teams to ensure all communication needs are met regarding new and existing products, software features, Kobo Plus subscriptions, Kobo Writing Life, Kobo Originals content, and new partner/territory announcements relevant to North America
• Fostering relationships with Rakuten Kobo’s North American retail partners to expand co-brand awareness through communications initiatives and events