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Meredith, Public Relations Account Executive at Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency: Advize Career Interview
A career in luxury hospitality public relations offers a dynamic and rewarding path, as evidenced by Meredith's journey.
Starting with internships and progressing through various public relations roles in health and wellness, travel, and other sectors, a clear trajectory is revealed, showcasing the importance of building experience.
Day-to-day responsibilities involve extensive communication, media outreach, and client management, requiring strong writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
The work is fast-paced, demanding adaptability and creative problem-solving, but provides tangible rewards like seeing published work and the opportunity to travel while representing prestigious properties.
A communications degree and experience in resume building and interview skills were noted as key factors in setting up a successful career, along with embracing a proactive and creative mindset.
Entry-level positions such as internships and account coordinator roles are readily available, providing a strong foundation for a career filled with exciting challenges and meaningful connections.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Meredith Sestito
Public Relations Account Executive
Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency
Loyola Marymount University
Communications
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Public Relations Account Executive At A Luxury Hospitality Agency
Meredith's career path reveals a consistent focus on public relations, starting with an event planning internship and transitioning to health and wellness, then travel, philanthropic, real estate, food and beverage public relations roles. This progression, marked by promotions from intern to coordinator to associate to account executive at a luxury hospitality agency, demonstrates a clear trajectory within the industry, with "travel public relations" becoming a significant area of expertise.
Main Responsibilities Of A Public Relations Account Executive At Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency
Meredith's role as a Public Relations Account Executive involves extensive communication—"a very communication heavy job"— encompassing daily journalist interactions to coordinate stories, client updates, and writing pitches and press releases. A significant portion of the work includes arranging media visits to properties and collaborating with influencers to maximize reach and impact, acting as "a middleman or a messenger" between clients and media.
A Day in the Life of a Public Relations Account Executive in Luxury Hospitality
A Public Relations Account Executive's workday is dynamic and involves a blend of tasks, including checking email and client correspondence, pitching stories to journalists ("I'll do some pitching...to journalists"), and extensive media research to identify relevant trends ("I'm constantly on news sites...we do a lot of research on travel trends"). This requires a strong understanding of current events and media landscapes, making media list building and writing key parts of the job.
Key Skills For A Public Relations Account Executive In Luxury Hospitality Public Relations
A successful Public Relations Account Executive requires strong communication skills—"both written and verbally"—and the ability to "get comfortable with someone quickly," essential for pitching to journalists and clients. Further success hinges on organizational prowess, adaptability to handle multiple clients and tasks, and a proactive "go-getter attitude" to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Public Relations Account Executive At Luxury Hospitality Agency
Meredith, a Public Relations Account Executive, loves the travel focus of her role, stating that "being able to represent five-star properties across the country" and personally visiting them is a highlight. The tangible reward of seeing published work, "something tangible, especially when it's a print story," coupled with a positive work environment filled with "outgoing, positive, talkative people," makes the job incredibly fulfilling.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Public Relations Industry As An Account Executive
Meredith, a Public Relations Account Executive, finds the industry fascinating, enjoying "the behind the scenes of how a story gets written," building relationships with journalists, and the travel opportunities. The ability to "see it from the start line...to the finish line," creating successful partnerships and client satisfaction, is particularly rewarding.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Public Relations Industry, According To A Public Relations Account Executive At A Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Firm
To thrive in luxury hospitality public relations, a go-getter attitude and creative mindset are essential; the ideal candidate is a "strong writer" who is "always on the lookout" for opportunities, possesses strong communication skills, and demonstrates adaptability when interacting with diverse individuals and unfamiliar settings.
What A Public Relations Account Executive At Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Public Relations Industry
The fast-paced nature of the luxury hospitality public relations industry requires adaptability, as "things can change quickly," necessitating a rapid shift in priorities; the ability to adjust to unforeseen circumstances, such as "major postponement[s]," is crucial for success in this career.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Public Relations Account Executives in Luxury Hospitality
Many public relations agencies offer internships—"that's actually how I got my start"—providing valuable industry experience and potentially leading to full-time roles as an account coordinator or junior publicist; these internships are a great way to "get a good feel for the industry."
Career Lesson From a Public Relations Account Executive in Luxury Hospitality Public Relations
A significant career lesson for the Public Relations Account Executive is the importance of creative thinking and preparedness; when facing setbacks, such as "rejections," the ability to "turn that no into a yes" by having "backups" and "out of the box ideas" is crucial for success.
College Experiences That Helped a Public Relations Account Executive at a Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency Succeed
A communications major, Meredith's undergraduate coursework, particularly a "job preparedness class" that refined resume and interview skills, significantly aided career readiness. The extensive essay writing required in communications classes translated directly to success in the current role as a writer of press releases for a luxury hospitality agency, with Meredith noting that "writing press releases...I always just think of it as like a mini essay".
How Identity Has Influenced A Public Relations Account Executive's Career At Luxury PR Agency
Meredith finds the predominantly female environment of public relations a "really comfortable environment," fostering a "healthy and positive work environment" where they are inspired by strong, smart women, many of whom are working mothers who serve as role models. This positive work culture has significantly impacted their career in a positive way.
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