Communications Specialist

The Communication Specialist is responsible for gathering market intelligence, understanding diverse target audiences, and developing strategic communication plans and content for product launches, marketing activities, and internal communications. This role also involves managing agency relationships, executing press events, fostering media relations, supporting dealer communications, and assisting in crisis management to maintain a positive company image.

Knowledge of corporate/ products/ marketing & sales activities:

• Participate in marketing & launch meetings and stay updated with all products strategy; specifications; changes; advertising activities; consumer's viewpoint of the brand/ product, the product category, competitors, attitude & usage towards brand/product.

• Talk to consumers, the target groups as much as possible to get a feeling/an idea about what they think about Ford brand as well as its product category; attend/ study MKT's activities (road show, motor show, customer test drive, market research…) to enhance understanding and utilize these as a forum to help to develop and implement the Communications plans.

• Always be up to date on what our competitors are always doing in media – PR campaigns, tactics, TV, Print, Sales Promotions, POSM, prices etc. – and keep management informed on a timely basis. 

Knowledge of target audiences

• Demonstrate capability to work with all target audience groups including Government & related ministries, Business Associations, Media, Ford customers, potential buyers, dealers, employees… Employees, dealers and media are the focus to know inside and out.

• Be updated and keep abreast of all media trends, movements & practices; industry issues to enhance understanding of the industry and apply this data to support communications planning

Agency briefing and liaison 

• To support Manager to write clear and dynamic briefs to agency for corporate/ product/ launch/ dealer Communications campaigns – ensure that all the necessary and relevant details, objectives and timings are provided in a comprehensive manner, using consumer insights and knowledge of brand, category, target audiences, metrics.

• Keep close contact with agency to ensure all information is clear as jobs are in progress; clarify questions and advise Manager for necessary decisions.

• To support to check the metrics & deliverables of agency after each project and to report to Manager.

• Work closely with Content Factory team & Social media team to make sure works are on track and with good results.

Project management 

• To support Manager in all product launch programs, media ride & drive, press events, executive interviews including briefing, getting approval from management & region if needed, supervising the implementation, evaluating and report, including post event metrics.

• Be able to judge agency's work and add initiatives to enhance the execution plan; strictly meet deadlines.

• Participate in editing & reviewing news releases, speeches, Q&A, factsheets, pitch letters, press kits, company newsletters to ensure exact content & deliverable contain key messages.

• Lead in preparing content for @Ford magazine and other tools of internal communications.

• Lead in coordinating with related functions for CRS activities.

• Report on completed projects to keep management informed; and provide feedback & metrics for future 

Media relations 

• Involvement with media; understand and support media's needs & practices; strengthen and enhance the corporate relationship with media.

• Demonstrate a reliable & consistent communications channel from the company to all audiences, enhance bilateral communications between FVL representatives and media (finding chances for media tour, media meetings at relevant times, new and innovative communications initiatives)

• Be proactive in hosting media interview/ discussion/ round table with FVL representatives; being responsive to media's queries on a daily basis (contacting media, clarifying questions, preparing suggested points, getting approval from management, handling media activities to a high professional standard)

Dealer Communications Support

• Work closely with Sales for Dealer activities update; and handle Communications actions to support Dealer programs

• Integrate & sell network image at appropriate PR events (preparing media advisories, factsheet of dealer network upgrades…)

News clipping & Company web news management 

• Manage news updated online at company website, ensure it is always up-to-date and a good source of information for media & customers. Follow IT process to upload news on web as soon as the releases are available.

• Closely work with the online marketing team for updates to web content and company activities.

Crisis management 

• Proactive work with Company Management/ FCSD/ dealers/ customers and media in issue management to prevent crisis escalating while maintaining a positive and proactive company image.

• Support top management in crisis management (Q&A, media handling…)

Alignment with AP Communications

• Attending all meetings/ conferences with AP team, fulfilling assigned jobs with team.

• Upload reports on all product/ launch/ dealer PR activities to regional team and update materials on e-room.

Internal process 

• Handle internal administrative requirements: PN, PO, invoice/payment to agency… so that jobs can be done timely and properly as per FVL process

Any other tasks as assigned by direct Supervisor or Head of Department based on Business' requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree or higher in PR/Communications. Proven ability to execute a PR strategy or program, and excellent writing skills 

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in the same position 

• Others:

  • Must know how to build and cultivate relationships with media, and pitch stories to a wide variety of media.

  • Strong interest and knowledge of social and digital media, and how to leverage this channel to deliver PR results and impact.

  • Strong organizational/ administrative skills and attention to detail, including project and event management.

  • Strong inter-personal skills and high levels of energy, ability to take responsibility for own work output to deliver strong results with minimal supervision.

  • Need to be a team player, with a positive attitude, work with integrity, be a fast learner, and have a great sense of humor.