Consumer Public Relations Specialist - North America

Job Description:

Rakuten Kobo

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us make reading lives better.

The Role:

The Consumer PRSpecialist, North America is responsible for driving Rakuten Kobo's brand awareness and engagement across key North American markets (Canada and the United States). Reporting to the Senior Manager of Communications, this role primarily focuses on strategic media relations, earned influencer programming, and overseeing local PR agencies in both Canada and the US.

A critical component of this role is elevating Rakuten Kobo's innovative hardware and accessories. The Specialist will be instrumental in positioning our eReaders and related products to media and earned influencers, securing impactful coverage that highlights their unique features, benefits, and overall contribution to the reading experience. This includes developing compelling narratives and executing targeted outreach to tech, lifestyle, and consumer product journalists, as well as influential voices in the technology and readingcategories.

The Specialist will further elevate the Kobo brand through creative trend pitches, robust product review programs for product, events, strategic partnerships, and content collaborations. This role requires a strong communicator and collaborator who can partner with and motivate cross-functional teams at Kobo, including content, R&D, marketing, and business development, to craft compelling stories for Rakuten Kobo and its diverse product offerings.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Communications Strategy & Execution:

• Executing the overall communications strategy, including product launches, consumer PR outreach, earned influencer programming, and media/influencer/consumer events, in close collaboration with the Senior Manager of Communications.

• Organizing and executing media opportunities and speaking engagements to drive Kobo’s brand awareness across North America, including media tours and interviews with local agency assistance.

• Agency & Market Management:

• Helping to oversee public relations agencies for North American markets (US and Canada), including planning, briefing, and managing ongoing activities, and analyzing results to inform future efforts.

• Monitoring, Reporting & Analysis:

• Leading reporting across North American markets, tracking results, measuring against KPIs, identifying notable wins/trends, and coordinating agency reporting.

• Competitor news tracking and analysis to identify gaps and opportunities for Kobo brand.

• Internal & External Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaising with Rakuten Kobo’s internal teams to ensure all communication needs are met regarding new and existing products, software features, Kobo Plus subscriptions, Kobo Writing Life, Kobo Originals content, and new partner/territory announcements relevant to North America.

• Fostering relationships with Rakuten Kobo’s North American retail partners to expand co-brand awareness through communications initiatives and events.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of PR/Communications agency or in-house experience with a proven track record in a fast-paced environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, English, or an allied field.

• Experience working in public relations within North America (US and/or Canada) and confidence working with diverse regional teams is required.

• Strong communicator with exemplary writing and editing skills.

• Strategic thinker and detail-oriented worker adept at managing timelines and communicating progress.

• Ability to effectively manage a network of internal stakeholders and PR agencies.

• Experience with event planning and execution.

• Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and help develop supporting programs.

• Available for occasional travel as needed.

• A positive team approach to working with internal and external partners.

Success in this role requires:

• Strategic thinking and a diplomatic approach when dealing with media, internal, and external partners.

• Strong understanding of the digital book industry and consumer technologies, particularly within the North American market.

• Creative thinking and ability to uncover trend-focused story angles to differentiate and advance Rakuten Kobo’s market position.

• A detail and solutions-oriented mindset to ensure smooth program execution.

• Ability to multi-task and triage work among time-sensitive priorities.

• A flexible team player who can support various teams and lines of business simultaneously (devices, subscriptions, self-publishing, Kobo Originals, content, publisher, etc.).

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment

• Subsidized in-office lunches

• Full benefits starting from your first day

• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching

• Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid

• Lifestyle spending account

• Talent and development training budget

• Free Kobo device + free weekly eBooks or audiobook

• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions

• Maternity/paternity leave top up

• Dog friendly office
  

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world’s digital bookseller created by and for booklovers. Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten Group, Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo’s millions of worldwide users can read anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With a mission to make reading lives better for all, Rakuten Kobo connects readers to stories using thoughtful and personalized curation of eBooks and audiobooks, and the best dedicated eReaders and apps for reading. With the singular focus of making reading lives the best they can be, Kobo’s open platform allows people to fit reading into more moments in their busy lives. To learn more about Rakuten Kobo,

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more:

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Five Principles for Success
Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
Passionately Professional - Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best
Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika - Use the Rakuten Cycle to succeed in unknown territory
Maximize Customer Satisfaction - The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

Rakuten is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more:

At the time of posting, Rakuten expects the Compensation (base salary + discretionary bonus) for this role to be within the range shown below. Individual compensation will vary based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications, and experience of the successful candidate as well as business need and geographic location. The successful applicant for this role will be eligible for stock options, health, vision, dental insurance, RRSP matching, Personal Time Off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements.

CAD $63, - 99, annually