Vw Media

**Job Description and Responsibilities**:

- To liaise and interact daily with the media in order to establish networks and communications channels to heighten visibility and enhance image of the Brand and its products
- To ensure constant and consistent focus to maintain high quality and excellence
- To supply accurate product, consumer and corporate information and photographic services to the media to enhance and promote the VW passenger brand.
- To initiate, plan, organize and execute local and international press launches and conferences to the media, business and political stakeholders.
- To draft, process and distribute media releases about VW passenger products and the VW corporate brand.
- To monitor and analyse new product and brand publicity generated
- To act as a company spokesperson for VW passenger brand South Africa.
- To facilitate customer service / experience concerns which have received heightened attention in the media.
- Effective management and campaign support of VW Brand Ambassadors, VW Influencers and other publicity programs and media partnership initiatives.
- Responsible for issuing accurate VW passenger brand related content timeously for internal news platforms.
- Supporting internal communications department with VW passenger brand content in order to build an internal brand at Volkswagen Group South Africa.
- Control and management of VW passenger brand PR budget with monthly KPI updates for NSO Controlling and VW Division Head.
- Management of the road test programme for VW and liaison with VWSA Group Motorsport for press PR support iro VW Motor Sport teams
- Control and operational management of VW passenger brand Press and Marketing Demonstrator Fleet, including maintenance of vehicles to achieve optimal usage targets
- Coordination of ad hoc projects (including the VW brand’s Corporate PR profiling / local relevance project) in conjunction with agencies.
- Provide support to VW passenger brand marketing campaigns, projects and events in planning and leveraging any PR opportunities, which may be presented.
- Effectively manage the VW passenger brand PR agency with regards to promoting, building and integrating the VW passenger brand PR brand narrative within the broader marketing strategy.
- Effectively plan and execute VW passenger brand of South Africa’s Corporate Social Investment Programme to communicate a coherent strategy that enhances VW passenger brand corporate reputation.

**Education and Experience**:

- A formal 3-year National diploma or Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution in Marketing/ Communications Science/ Journalism/ Public Relations/ Commerce
- A relevant post-graduate qualification/ Honours degree will serve as an advantage
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in automotive Marketing and Communications

**Skills, Attributes & Other requirements**:

- Knowledge and understanding of brands and brand image
- Previous Journalistic and/ or Public Relations experience would be advantageous
- Sound knowledge of VW structures, products and competitors
- Appropriate insight and understanding of the automotive market and overall competitive environment
- Exhibit a suitably professional demeanour to serve as ambassador of the Brand in dealing with the public and motoring media
- Sound understanding of communication strategies and media principles, including detailed knowledge of social media platforms and monitoring
- Ability to listen and communicate effectively at all levels with astute verbal and written communication skills and an excellent command of the English language
- Well-developed interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization.
- Ability and confidence to negotiate and interact with main stream media representatives on all levels
- Excellent rapport building and internal/ external customer relationship managing and networking skills
- Ability to plan and organise effectively
- Ability to manage agency partners and third party suppliers in executing the PR communications strategy and supporting activities
- Strong grounding in project management and supporting skills to successfully execute simultaneous projects in parallel
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure and maintain composure at all times
- Demonstrate integrity and diplomacy
- Be a team player, yet able to work and manage output independently
- A high level of energy, enthusiasm and work commitment
- Computer proficiency with advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite
- Understanding of financial principles and budgetary control