Vice President, Communications - Bridgeview, IL

POSITION: VP, Communications

COMPANY: Chicago Fire

REPORTING

RELATIONSHIP: President





BACKGROUND

The Chicago Fire (www.chicago-fire.com) is one of 14 professional teams in Major League Soccer (there will be 16 by 2010). The team was originally founded on October 8, 1997 and has gone on to become one of the most successful MLS franchises. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and has been crowned Champion of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The team just finished its 11th season and has established a winning tradition by making the playoffs ten times, including bowing out in the Eastern Conference finals in the 2008 season. Headliners for the Fire include Head Coach Denis Hamlett and forwards Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Brian McBride. Blanco, a Mexican international soccer superstar with mass appeal in Latin America, maintains the Fire's Designated Player spot, while McBride, a Chicago-area native, is arguably the greatest American born soccer player ever, having played on U.S. Olympic and World Cup teams.

In June 2006, the Fire moved into the 20,000 seat, world-class facility, TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Illinois. The multipurpose sport and entertainment venue is located approximately 15 minutes southwest of Chicago and hosts a variety of sporting events, community events, special events, and concerts by national and international artists. In January 2008, the Chicago Fire announced a three-year, multimillion dollar agreement with Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), making the company the official presenting sponsor and the first-ever jersey sponsor of the Fire.

Andell Holdings (www.andellinc.com) acquired the team and stadium management in September, 2007 from Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Andell Holdings is a Los Angeles-based private investment firm and family office with global business and investment interests. Founded in 1998, Andell's current activities are divided between investments in private companies, core holdings in publicly traded companies, and partnerships with best-in-class investment managers. Andrew Hauptman is the Chairman and CEO of Andell Holdings and serves as the Chairman of the Chicago Fire.



BASIC FUNCTIONS

This position directs all communications activity for the Chicago Fire with key responsibility for positioning the Fire as one of America's leading soccer franchises. The individual assuming this position will be responsible for developing and executing high-impact creative ideas designed to generate strong positive press coverage, working closely with all departments integrating communications at all-levels. In addition, this individual will develop the long-term strategic plan for all public relations initiatives, while supervising a PR team that handles media relations, community relations, marketing, sales and sponsorships announcements, and PR support for any public affairs activities. Heavy involvement with the team's broadcasting and new media initiatives is also expected. This person will also be responsible for the overall reputation management of the Fire organization. Candidates primarily interested in just a managing the "sports information" function of a sports team should not apply.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

* Manages and directs all communications activity for the Fire with key responsibility for positioning the Fire as one of America's leading soccer franchises; responsible for the overall reputation management of the Fire organization.
* Responsible for developing and executing high-impact creative ideas designed to generate strong positive press coverage, integrating communications at all-levels of the organization. Responsible for new story generation and aggressively pitching story ideas to Fire beat writers and non-traditional media such as health, fitness, fashion, lifestyle, business and entertainment.
* Directly responsible for developing comprehensive PR strategy for the club and implement a plan to both heighten the organization's visibility and ensure a consistent message with the local and national media and general public.
* Establish and maintain strong relationships with sports and non-sports media/press, plus related media celebrities (i.e. anchors, deejays, etc.). Serve as primary spokesperson for the Fire.
* Work closely with senior executives on long-term planning and major PR initiatives. Ensure that the overall strategic PR program and accompanying messaging are fully integrated with all franchise initiatives and activities. Facilitate and staff press requests for senior executives of Fire organization and prepare executives for interviews with messaging, background, etc.
* Supervise an integrated communications team that handles media relations, internal communications, community relations, broadcasting, publications, and PR support for sales and sponsorships. Direct management of all full time public relations staff including full time interns and game day staff.
* Help manage broadcasting (TV, radio) and new media programs.
* Help develop and potentially oversee team's website initiatives, primarily surrounding content development and supporting revenue generating concepts.
* Serve as the managing editor for team Media Guide, Free Kick, including hiring freelance writers and assigning feature stories on players and the team, in addition to providing editorial support for the guest columnists.
* Supervise day-to-day soccer media relations efforts and press announcements; manage press conferences and press events. Supervise game day press operations, including assignments for PR staff and game day help, credentialing and parking.
* Work closely with MLS and other key sports industry contacts to foster a positive image for the Fire within the industry and create unique PR opportunities.
* Provide major PR support for introduction of MLS initiatives and programs, and serve as an ambassador for the Fire, including spokesperson's responsibility with key constituency groups.
* Directly responsible for handling crisis and major PR challenges.
* Help manage and interface with any outside P.R. agencies that might be utilized to achieve team's and owner's objectives.
* Actively participate in staff meetings, sales meetings and marketing meetings with an emphasis on integrating the public relations efforts with the tickets sales and marketing teams.
* Coordinate and proactively engage with the owner/owner's representatives regarding PR needs and expectations.
* Develop and maintain budget for the department.
* Other duties as assigned by the team President.



Requirements:

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

The existing Fire PR team currently manages the day-to-day media relations and press announcements. This person will work closely with this team and senior Fire executives to develop actionable PR plans and creative initiatives designed to take the PR effort to a higher level, in order to maximize efforts and create a stronger brand identity, and in turn, generate more awareness, fans, and revenue for the Fire.

Ideally the candidate will hold a BA/BS degree in public relations, marketing or related field: MBA or extensive career background preferred with 8 or more years direct public relations experience in the sports and entertainment industry either at a private or public company or public relations agency, with particular consideration given to candidate with extensive sports/soccer experience, as well as a familiarity and knowledge of the Chicago media and community at-large. Bilingual (English and Spanish) would be helpful.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

S/he will have strong experience developing and executing strategic PR plans and initiatives as well as hands on experience managing media relations. Strong oral and written communications skills are a must.

The candidate will have experience managing an internal PR team, including developing and mentoring individuals. S/he will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal effectively with personnel issues and interact internally with senior management and externally with senior executives with our partners.

Experience in working effectively with PR agencies is necessary as well as a self directed/self-starter individual with the ability to manage time and prioritize initiatives/ activities. Experience working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment preferred.

Contact: Dana Rosenkrantz