Media Relations Contractor
/Job Title:
Media Relations Contractor
Organization:
Murray Paterson Marketing Group (MPMG)
Deadline:
May. 22, 2026
Organization Description:
Murray Paterson Marketing Group (MPMG) is an award-winning agency of highly skilled, forward-thinking professionals with a passion for marketing the arts + creative industries. We are a collective of bright minds who thrive on turning insights into opportunities and ideas into audience engagement.
MPMG provides innovative marketing + communications services to cultural institutions across Canada, including Vancouver International Film Festival, Theatre Under the Stars, Bard on the Beach, Eastside Culture Crawl, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Museum of Anthropology, Broadway in Victoria, Victoria Symphony, Opera Atelier, among many others.
MPMG has been recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of BC’s top agencies; by the Georgia Straight as a multiple ‘Best of Vancouver’ winner; is the recipient of a BC American Marketing Association ‘Marketing Excellence Award’ in the not-for-profit category, is a Western Canadian Marketing and PR Award winner for Best Use of Digital Ads, and is the recipient of a Silver CPRS Vancouver Prestige Award in the Best Integrated Communications Campaign category (recognized alongside its client the Museum of Anthropology at UBC).
Website:
Job Description:
MPMG is seeking a Media Relations Contractor to support our fall arts season in Vancouver, with a strong focus supporting the 2026 Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
The contractor will work with and report to an MPMG Account Manager and will be required to assume responsibility for a wide range of media relations and communications tasks. This is a demanding role that will require a self-directed, highly efficient, and detail-oriented individual. The successful contractor will have experience pitching the media, have established media contacts, possess excellent writing and editing skills, and is comfortable working independently and remotely in a fast-paced agency environment.
This is a remote contract position from mid-July through October 2026 with the opportunity for ongoing collaboration following the close of the contract. Occasional evening and weekend work required.
Total estimated hours may range from 15 to 25 hours per week.
Responsibilities:
- Represent MPMG in a professional and confident manner in both written and verbal communications
- Support media relations campaigns through asset gathering, media site and EPK development, distribution management of press releases, etc.
- Identify various story leads within each campaign and craft accompanying pitches for individual journalists
- Write communications copy
- Secure interviews, reviews, and press coverage for clients
- Occasionally accompany on-site, in-person interviews and/or media calls, as needed
- Utilize online databases and event listing engines to raise awareness for upcoming client productions
- Provide media monitoring and ongoing maintenance of coverage trackers for MPMG clients
- Consistently provide a high level of client relations
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze issues and solve complex problems independently
- Maintain a close working relationship with the MPMG team
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Arts Management or related field
- 2-3+ years of recent experience working in a publicist or communications role
- Strong relationships with media throughout the Lower Mainland
- Business acumen achieved through previous experience in a fast-paced professional marketing + communications services environment
- Superior verbal and written communication skills
- Strong attention to detail; keen copy editing and proofreading skills are a must
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Familiarity and comfort with software and online tools, including but not limited to Wordpress, G Suite, Facebook, IG, Vertical Response, YouTube, and Adobe Suite
- Passion and experience with the arts is highly valued
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to: jobs@mpmgarts.com no later than May 22, 2026. All applications will be kept in confidence.
We thank all who express an interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Remuneration:
Compensation: $32 - $40 per hour based on experience.
