A publicist in the entertainment industry promotes projects and artists. He or she is in charge of public relations and marketing strategies. Publicists for the entertainment industry communicate with reporters, journalists, and other members of the media to promote creative projects that rely on readers, viewers, or box office sales to succeed.
The productions may also be managed by a theater publicist. A theater publicist’s job entails keeping track of ticket sales and promoting films or plays by releasing video clips, or trailers, to the media. Other key responsibilities for an entertainment publicist who promotes plays or films include deciding how tickets are sold, such as their price point, as well as getting good publicity for the theater.
Film studios or celebrity publicists frequently work with up-and-coming actors; they may also work on promotional projects with well-known actors, such as publicity campaigns. An entertainment publicist who represents an actor who is just starting out in feature films spends a lot of time getting the artist’s name out to the public, such as by writing press releases. A press release is a piece of news that also serves to promote an event, person, or company.
A music publicist also works on publicity campaigns and sends out press releases. Record signings or charity concerts may be part of a publicity campaign. Publicists for the entertainment industry of all kinds contact journalists and reporters with story ideas for magazines and newspapers. Any type of entertainment publicist can hold a public event with a contest to win free tickets to a performance.
On a local radio or television station, publicists may offer free tickets to listeners. The show’s host will tell a story about the upcoming production and its star performers by interviewing an entertainment publicist. Instead of publicists, actors or musicians may appear on the shows.
Most publicists are in charge of planning and overseeing the completion of advertising projects. They could even work for a public relations or advertising firm with clients in the entertainment industry. Entertainment publicists may be in charge of projects such as creating posters, advertisements, and sweepstakes to help a music, film, celebrity, or publishing client gain public attention.
A book publicist organizes author signing tours. Literary publicists may also oversee the creation of a website for the author they represent, so that viewers can learn more about the books and signing events. Celebrity publicists may also assist in the creation and maintenance of a website for the artists they represent in music or film.