ABOUT US
Think of us as your resourceful “in-house” communications partner, lead Strategist, info-wrangler, media relationship builder, and “day one” teammate all in one.
The Squad!
WE ARE THE KEY PR
Meet the Squad!
Martha
Shaughnessey
Founder
Katherine
Madariaga
Founding Principal
Jennifer
Parson
Founding Principal
Julia
Konstantinovsky
Founding Principal
Kira
Wolfe
Director
Tess
Pawlisch
Director
Tisha
Ferraro
Managing Associate
Lilly
Iffert
Associate
April
Morland
Asssociate
Virginia
Stephenson
Associate
Taylor
Gerrells
Associate
Sophia
Vanderheym
Associate
Kenny
Moody
Apprentice
Work with us!
Opportunities Abound!
We believe great communication is born from diverse experience, background and approach, and we strive to create an environment where we can all thrive together. The Key is an anti-racist business, strongly committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The Key is an equal opportunity employer.
The Associate
The Key is a strategic public relations agency - and our mission is to write a new story. We believe in high-impact, low-BS communications, and our work redefines how people are seen and ideas are heard.
We are expanding our team of intellectually curious, hard-working folks who like to tell stories, work with smart people, and be a part of something bigger. This is a rare opportunity to help create a culture of excellence, and to build the job you want. You’ll work directly with the founders on an array of clients - from Valley giants to stealth startups working to be household names, and will contribute to the growth and success of an emerging brand.
We are storytellers, builders, partners, creators - so you should love words and their power; consume media and think about the process from thought to story; work independently and also appreciate feedback, direction and collaboration. We have full lives, and our work is a rich part of that fullness, but doesn't rule.
As a Key Associate...
You will be the backbone of our media relations and account management initiatives. Associates work with our founder and principals to create smart, effective PR strategies and establish the media strategies to see campaigns come to fruition, bringing essential relationships to the job. You will bring your excellent writing skills, creativity, persistence and multitasking zen to this role, and help generate the very best media results that map to our clients’ business goals. As integrated partners, we have the opportunity to work with clients to create branding, digital, social media, and marketing strategies too.
What You’ll Work On:
Our clients represent exciting, forward-looking thinkers across mobile tech, autonomous vehicles, retail, personal finance, consumer lifestyle and more. We are seeking account runners with strong media chops, with experience in:
Media Relations
* Identify, pitch and work with reporters (business, consumer, broadcast, influencer) to secure coverage on behalf of our clients
* Strong grasp and creative use of social media channels to support our efforts
* Experience measuring the ROI of communications activities
Client Service
* Provide exceptional client and project management support, from kickoff through achieving goals
* Attend client calls and meetings, review agendas and complete action items on deadline
* Ability to manage through periods of change of challenge
* Professional, articulate and timely client communications
Research/Writing Proficiencies
* Write clear, concise pitches to engage target journalists
* Writing for a variety of audiences, in a broad range of voices, often on a quick turn: press releases, media lists, briefing books, backgrounders, speaking & awards submissions and lists, abstracts, Q&As, contributed content, and other written material.
* News mining for story development and new business research
* Demonstrate strong research skills across projects and creative brainstorms for clients and agency new business
* Recording and measurement: client & competitor research and reporting
* Evaluation of stories from data: review and analyze client data to find interesting media nuggets
* Strong grasp and creative use of social media channels to support our efforts
* Experience measuring the ROI of communications activities
We are expanding our team of intellectually curious, hard-working folks who like to tell stories, work with smart people, and be a part of something bigger. This is a rare opportunity to help create a culture of excellence, and to build the job you want. You’ll work directly with the founders on an array of clients - from Valley giants to stealth startups working to be household names, and will contribute to the growth and success of an emerging brand.
We are storytellers, builders, partners, creators - so you should love words and their power; consume media and think about the process from thought to story; work independently and also appreciate feedback, direction and collaboration. We have full lives, and our work is a rich part of that fullness, but doesn't rule.
As a Key Associate...
You will be the backbone of our media relations and account management initiatives. Associates work with our founder and principals to create smart, effective PR strategies and establish the media strategies to see campaigns come to fruition, bringing essential relationships to the job. You will bring your excellent writing skills, creativity, persistence and multitasking zen to this role, and help generate the very best media results that map to our clients’ business goals. As integrated partners, we have the opportunity to work with clients to create branding, digital, social media, and marketing strategies too.
What You’ll Work On:
Our clients represent exciting, forward-looking thinkers across mobile tech, autonomous vehicles, retail, personal finance, consumer lifestyle and more. We are seeking account runners with strong media chops, with experience in:
Media Relations
* Identify, pitch and work with reporters (business, consumer, broadcast, influencer) to secure coverage on behalf of our clients
* Strong grasp and creative use of social media channels to support our efforts
* Experience measuring the ROI of communications activities
Client Service
* Provide exceptional client and project management support, from kickoff through achieving goals
* Attend client calls and meetings, review agendas and complete action items on deadline
* Ability to manage through periods of change of challenge
* Professional, articulate and timely client communications
Research/Writing Proficiencies
* Write clear, concise pitches to engage target journalists
* Writing for a variety of audiences, in a broad range of voices, often on a quick turn: press releases, media lists, briefing books, backgrounders, speaking & awards submissions and lists, abstracts, Q&As, contributed content, and other written material.
* News mining for story development and new business research
* Demonstrate strong research skills across projects and creative brainstorms for clients and agency new business
* Recording and measurement: client & competitor research and reporting
* Evaluation of stories from data: review and analyze client data to find interesting media nuggets
* Strong grasp and creative use of social media channels to support our efforts
* Experience measuring the ROI of communications activities
What we're looking for in a candidate:
* Organizational, tactical and communications skills: demonstrates organizational skills, meets deadlines, manages time and prioritization skills
* Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google Docs
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for creative writing and storytelling
* Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining a positive attitude, sense of humor and desire to learn.
Benefits
One of our Key Agreements is to “Take Care”- and we are serious about mind, body and life wellness. Our comprehensive benefits program includes:
Body
* Competitive medical, dental and vision package, plus life and disability insurance
* Employee wellness program powered by ClassPass and other options
* A magic cabinet stacked with healthy snacks (and an occasional bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos).
Mind
* Tons of hands-on learning, facetime with senior leadership, and regular education opportunities
* Mentorship program
* Thoughtful career development and account distribution
* Opportunities to attend online industry conferences and events
* Catered Lunch & Learns and team-led trainings
Life
* Unlimited vacation, and flex time
* 401K match and college loan repayment assistance
* Cell phone and online media subscription reimbursements
* Donation match to a non-profit close to your heart
* Team outings, happy hours and coffee dates, retreats, and other chances to hang out together
* Central San Francisco location with easy access to Hayes Valley, the Castro and the Mission, with short walk to MUNI and BART stations
* Vibrant culture (check out our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekey_pr)
* Organizational, tactical and communications skills: demonstrates organizational skills, meets deadlines, manages time and prioritization skills
* Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google Docs
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for creative writing and storytelling
* Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment while maintaining a positive attitude, sense of humor and desire to learn.
Benefits
One of our Key Agreements is to “Take Care”- and we are serious about mind, body and life wellness. Our comprehensive benefits program includes:
Body
* Competitive medical, dental and vision package, plus life and disability insurance
* Employee wellness program powered by ClassPass and other options
* A magic cabinet stacked with healthy snacks (and an occasional bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos).
Mind
* Tons of hands-on learning, facetime with senior leadership, and regular education opportunities
* Mentorship program
* Thoughtful career development and account distribution
* Opportunities to attend online industry conferences and events
* Catered Lunch & Learns and team-led trainings
Life
* Unlimited vacation, and flex time
* 401K match and college loan repayment assistance
* Cell phone and online media subscription reimbursements
* Donation match to a non-profit close to your heart
* Team outings, happy hours and coffee dates, retreats, and other chances to hang out together
* Central San Francisco location with easy access to Hayes Valley, the Castro and the Mission, with short walk to MUNI and BART stations
* Vibrant culture (check out our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekey_pr)
Apply now!
The Apprenticeship
The Key is a strategic public relations agency - and our mission is to write a new story. We believe in high-impact, low-BS communications, and our work redefines how people are seen and ideas are heard.
We are expanding our team of intellectually curious, hard-working folks who like to tell stories, work with smart people, and be a part of something bigger. This is an opportunity to help create a culture of excellence, to work on an array of clients, and build the job and experience you want.
This is a six-month position, ideally suited for someone just starting out in their communications career and wants experience in a PR agency setting.
We are storytellers, builders, partners, creators, so you should love words and their power; consume media and think about the process from thought to story; work independently and also appreciate feedback and direction. We think of ourselves as master craftspeople helping to bring up the next in line.
What you'll learn & work on:
* Understanding of the foundations of a PR program
* Research and planning: news mining and tracking, media lists, briefing books; new business research
* Writing for a variety of audiences, in a broad range of voices, often on a quick turn: media pitches, press releases, speaking and awards submissions
* Reporting and measurement: daily monitoring and reporting on client coverage and industry news.
We are expanding our team of intellectually curious, hard-working folks who like to tell stories, work with smart people, and be a part of something bigger. This is an opportunity to help create a culture of excellence, to work on an array of clients, and build the job and experience you want.
This is a six-month position, ideally suited for someone just starting out in their communications career and wants experience in a PR agency setting.
We are storytellers, builders, partners, creators, so you should love words and their power; consume media and think about the process from thought to story; work independently and also appreciate feedback and direction. We think of ourselves as master craftspeople helping to bring up the next in line.
What you'll learn & work on:
* Understanding of the foundations of a PR program
* Research and planning: news mining and tracking, media lists, briefing books; new business research
* Writing for a variety of audiences, in a broad range of voices, often on a quick turn: media pitches, press releases, speaking and awards submissions
* Reporting and measurement: daily monitoring and reporting on client coverage and industry news.
* Evaluation of stories from data: analyze client data to find interesting media nuggets
* Interaction with clients, via weekly calls and email correspondence
* Social media's role in creating strong PR campaigns
What we're looking for in a candidate:
* Strong organization and communication skills: meet deadlines, manage time and prioritize work, while maintaining open lines of communication with your team
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for creative writing and storytelling
* Ability to work effectively and flexibly in a fast-paced team environment
* Shows up with a positive attitude, a curious mindset and a desire to learn. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt either!!
* Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
* Interest in the technology industry and start-ups with social media know-how.
* Interaction with clients, via weekly calls and email correspondence
* Social media's role in creating strong PR campaigns
What we're looking for in a candidate:
* Strong organization and communication skills: meet deadlines, manage time and prioritize work, while maintaining open lines of communication with your team
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for creative writing and storytelling
* Ability to work effectively and flexibly in a fast-paced team environment
* Shows up with a positive attitude, a curious mindset and a desire to learn. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt either!!
* Experience working with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
* Interest in the technology industry and start-ups with social media know-how.
Apply now!
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and, skills required of personnel so classified.
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Trusted & Authentic Partners
We take pride in exercising our values and earning fridge-worthy results for our clients. Ready to connect?