Cubitt, Jacobs and Prosek Communication’s Internship Program

Based: CJP Communications, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118, USA

Salary: $12 per hour based on 40 hour week

Hours: 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

Reports to: Associate Vice President

About CJP:

Cubitt Jacobs & Prosek is among the 50 top public relations firms in the US and one of the few domestic midsize firms that offers its clients a gateway to Europe through our London office. CJP has 50 professionals in the US and 25 in the U.K. The firm focuses on financial, professional services and digital PR. We also have an events team and investor relations team

Cubitt Jacobs & Prosek won a Silver Anvil from the PRSA in 2006 and was a finalist for PR Week's Agency of the Year Award.

The agency was founded in 1990 in Connecticut and has offices in New York, London and Stratford, Connecticut.

Website: www.cjpcom.com

Clients include: RBS, Hiscox, Allen & Overy, Jefferies, GE, First Reserve Corporation, The Hartford, Genworth Financial, Edward Jones.

The Role:

While at Cubitt, Jacobs & Prosek Communications, you will gain experience in the areas of:

Client Services

Gain a basic understanding of the value of public relations to your client's business and how to deliver value to them. Build an understanding of your client's industry and competitive landscape.

• Begin to participate in client planning and brainstorming meetings.
• Begin to respond to client requests for information.
• Begin to draft status reports / campaign summary reports.
• Begin to monitor key publications for industry trends and competitor activity.
• Develop and hone research skills and become familiar with industry resources (search engines, Web sites and internal resources, etc.).

Media Relations

Gain a basic understanding of the news media covering clients on whose account they are assigned, how it operates and how to measure media results. Become involved in a wide range of media activities and understand their role in a client's PR plan.

• Create and update media lists.
• Maintain editorial calendars.
• Monitor and track media coverage of clients.
• Compile clip books, ensure they are up-to-date and accurate.
• Actively pitch, research, craft and market stories to the lower-tier media; practice "role playing" a media pitch with team members; refine media follow-up techniques.
• Research and draft materials for press kits and coordinate mailings.
• Coordinate press conferences and event logistics.
• Read daily at least two national publications such as the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the New York Times (NYT) and USA Today and one or two trade publications per account.
  

Vendor and Third Party Relations

Begin to build relationships with key constituents of your clients and their industry, and your practice group, and understand the importance of third party relations.

• Conduct background research on vendors and advocacy groups.
• As necessary, solicit budget estimates and any other information needed for account work.

Writing Skills

Refine your business communication writing skills; understand the importance of knowing your target audience, using the appropriate tone and writing concisely and correctly.

• Write first drafts of press materials (e.g. releases, pitch letters, executive bios and company fact sheets), account activity reports, and internal and external memos.
  

Presentation Skills

Gain a basic understanding of the role that presentations play in PR (i.e. internal, client and new business presentations). Begin to learn to clearly and articulately express yourself in front of your team. Gain a basic comfort level with presenting in front of a group.

• Support your manager and team in the development of presentations.
• Present your work at team meetings.

Team Management and Development Responsibilities

Gain a basic understanding of your role within your account team.

• Attend team meetings; make a contribution at each one.
• Proactively manage relationships with your supervisors and fellow team members.
• Ask for new assignments that support your team and enhance client service.
• Be flexible and available to assist other accounts and teams, as needed.
• Participate in your team members' reviews; learn to evaluate and provide constructive feedback about their team performance.

New Business Development

Gain a basic understanding of business development processes, including the importance of background research and data to effective new business materials.

• Assist with research for new business proposals and presentations.

Professional Growth

Fine tune the basic skills required to grow as a professional in our client service industry.

• Understand the importance of time management and paying attention to details.
• Demonstrate an ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Complete tasks efficiently and with confidence; when you are unsure of something, ask questions.
• Maintain professional behavior (appropriate dress, language, respect for co-workers, etc.) at all times.
• Demonstrate a strong command of core business skills including business writing, grammar and business etiquette.
• Demonstrate computer proficiency in a variety of programs, including Outlook, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Internet navigation.
• Attend training sessions to help you grow as a PR professional; proactively plan a personal training schedule with the approval of your manager.

Corporate Responsibilities

Gain an understanding of how your role at CJP fits into the "larger picture."

Make yourself accountable for achieving results.

• Understand the scope of CJP and its international offerings.
• Know the locations of CJP's global network of offices, our key experts and practitioners and our clients; know CJP's ranking within the industry and your practice area.
• Work in tandem with employees in other offices on shared accounts.
• Understand how you fit into your business unit and your practice's overall structure.
• Understand and adhere to the CJP confidentiality and disclosure agreements.
  

These guidelines will help you learn the skills and gain the experience needed to prepare you for a career in public relations or corporate communications.