Marketing & Communications Specialist

Minnesota State Fair

An Overview:

What began in 1854 as a territorial fair to highlight agriculture and encourage farming in the region became the Minnesota State Fair in 1859, a year after Minnesota was granted statehood. 

Today, often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually.

This end-of-summer tradition is always held the 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day. The 2014 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 21 - Sept. 1.

The fair employs 70 year-round full-time staff members. During the summer, 300 seasonal staff are added. Close to 2,500 people are hired as fair-time staff members.

Located mid-way between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the 320-acre Minnesota State Fairgrounds is renowned for its beautiful gardens and architecture reflecting the art deco and Works Progress Administration eras.

Hundreds of events are held on the grounds throughout the year during the non-fair time, including horse and livestock competitions, hockey games, merchandise sales, expositions, car shows, and more. 

The Minnesota State Fair is a recipient of a 2013-14 BBB Torch Award for Ethics. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota presents the award annually to companies that display exemplary levels of ethics, customer service and integrity in all aspects of their operations.

http://www.mnstatefair.org

Position Details

Marketing & Communications Specialist
Job
Full-time
Office/WFH
100% remote
2/25/2015
Twin Cities Metro
St. Paul, MN

Support and assist State Fair media and public relations, advertising, promotions, marketing and communications efforts.

  • Gather info. and input data for Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide, Entertainment Brochure, Art & Sculpture Brochure, Adopt-A-Garden Brochure and Last Chance flyer.
  • Compile revisions and work with publications department to produce small and large maps.
  • Support retrieval of information and data entry process for daily schedules and newspaper special sections. 
  • Monitor mnstatefair.org daily for changes and revisions, gather updates, create content and either submit job orders or make modifications as soon as information is ready for release.
  • Make annual updates to online Visitor Guide and interactive State Fairgrounds map. 
  • Write entertainer bios for web and print. 
  • Assist with creation and tracking of social media content. 
  • Manage responses to guest inquiries via Fair info e-mail. 
  • Develop, write and produce 13 issues of the State Fair Daily News. 
  • Update and provide content for annual media kit, then collaborate with publications department to see project to completion. 
  • Monitor broadcast, online and print media coverage of State Fair, and send weekly email report recapping highlights. 
  • Support and assist with pre-fair media meetings. 
  • Assist with media relations by generating story ideas, scheduling interviews, researching and answering questions. 
  • Act as the primary scheduler for food concessionaire media appearances and interviews.
  • Assist with monitoring media phone line and media email account. 
  • Distribute forms, gather orders, enter data and handle distribution for annual media credentialing process. 
  • Assist with proofreading and editing written materials. 
  • Develop special activity documents for use by Group Hospitality department with groups at the fair. 
  • Create and maintain database of promotional photos and compile photos for media gallery use. 
  • Work with wholesaler to offer a line of employee sportswear to seasonal and fair-time staff. 
  • Prepare marketing division and State Fair entries for IAFE Communications Awards and local “Best Of” awards. 
  • Prepare county fair auction items for Annual Meeting in January. 
  • Compile quantities and handle logistics related to annual commemorative pin and fair button orders. 
  • Collaborate with publications department for design and ensure installation of Snelling Avenue advertisement banners. 
  • Create and submit marketing division’s weekly bulletin entry. 
  • During peak activity times work extra daily hours and periods with no days off. 
  • Support all State Fair marketing, PR and communications efforts through other administrative duties as assigned. 
  • Assist with tasks as assigned by either the immediate supervisor or General Manager.
  • Two years post high school education and two years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or related area of study. 
  • Computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office suite, and database and web management software. 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
  • Outstanding organizational skills and attention-to-detail. 
  • Strong customer service skills and experience. 
  • Ability to stay calm, efficient and effective in high pressure situations. 
  • Valid driver’s license.

Rate of pay is $15 to $17 per hour with extra hours in the summer, including weekends. This includes a benefit package.


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