Marketing/Publicity Associate

Job Description

The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, and today, the oldest and most distinguished learned society in the United States, seeks a Marketing and Publicity Associate to assist with the marketing and promotion of books and journals produced by the APS Press, the oldest scholarly press in North America. This is a unique opportunity to work with thinkers and writers in all areas of scholarship and to help their books reach a wider audience, and to help build the APS Press to become the publication engine of the larger APS program of promoting useful knowledge. Because the APS Press is a small press, the Marketing/Publicity Associate will have an important role in helping define the marketing and publicity strategy for the press, as well as the market for each book, and will be the main point of contact for libraries, booksellers, authors, and reviewers when it comes to promoting our products.

Job Responsibilities and Expectations:

Book Marketing and Publicity

• Draft marketing copy, social media content, and email marketing campaigns
• Research, organize, and develop media contact lists across trade, academic, and library outlets
• Implement book publicity campaigns
• Maintain Press author events calendar and promote upcoming events
• Coordinate the Press social media content calendar and post content regularly
• Plan and prepare content for monthly and/or thematic promotions
• Implement, process, and regularly report media coverage for Press books
• Schedule, prepare, and occasionally staff book exhibits at academic conferences and local book festivals as needed
• Submit titles for book prizes and journal reviews
• Follow up sales leads with APS Press partner Penn Press. May call on local bookstores.
• Give sales/marketing feedback on Press projects and marketing material, including creating the APS Press catalog, and proofing the Penn Press catalog
• Collate and produce the APS News, a yearly glossy newsletter about the activities of the APS that year. This includes liaising with vendors for the best deals on design and printing, as well as with department heads throughout the APS for their reports
• Collate and produce the APS Yearbook, including liaising with vendors for the best deals, and with department heads throughout the APS for their reports
• Schedule, staff, and run the bi-monthly Publishing Salons, which entails coming up with themes, finding speakers, marketing the event, and hosting
• Help develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for the Press as it grows, in coordination with the APS communications manager and the larger APS marketing and communication efforts

Marketing Support Work

• Correspond with authors, customers, media, vendors/partners, event venues, and others, fulfilling requests in a timely/professional manner
• Research sales and marketing leads
• Write occasional blog posts or newsletter articles about the APS Press or specific books
• Establish good working relationships with other departments at the APS, the Committee on Publications, and Penn Press
• Suggest Press related topics for the APS monthly e-newsletters
• Draft press releases to announce APS Press news
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree: preferred, or an affinity for advanced scholarship
• Ability to work collaboratively and quickly with others as well as independently
• Computer proficiency: with MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign and Photoshop) essential, and strong data skills, including experience with publishing database systems (for example, Biblio, Global Tracking, Firebrand) as well as SalesForce
• Mastery of detail-oriented work, time-management, and project management
• Strong and versatile communication skills, both written and spoken
• Demonstrable time-management and organizational skills, and appreciation for detail
• Knowledge of book marketing and publicity (scholarly publishing experience preferred but not required)
• Experience with copyediting, proofreading, and book/journal publicity process
• Off-hours conference travel may be occasionally necessary
• Weekend/evening assistance with various APS events necessary

Additional Information

This is a full-time, in-office position in Philadelphia, with benefits. The society offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 403b with employer match, and a generous policy of paid days off.

Institutional requirements: Background check required after a conditional job offer is made.

Environmental/Physical Capabilities

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position operates in a professional office environment within the organization. The role frequently interacts with Members and grant and fellowship recipients, requiring extended periods of standing, often for multiple hours at a time. The role may also involve occasional walking, light lifting (up to 25 pounds), and repetitive motions such as typing or using office equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.