IRINA BOBKER
STUDIO CITY,CA
Summary
Seasoned Entertainment Publicity Executive with 20+ years of experience in PR for television, film, and streaming titles. Renowned for executing impactful publicity campaigns across diverse genres using traditional and digital media. Exceptional skills in strategic pitches, press management, and talent publicity events. Adept at cultivating collaborative relationships with talent, agencies, influencers, and stakeholders. Expert problem solver with a track record of navigating challenging personalities and tight deadlines.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Publicity Director
DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION - FREEFORM
Los Angeles
09.2019 - Current
- Developed and executed strategic and innovative publicity campaigns for Freeform Original Series and talent.
- Successfully pitched programming, campaigns, and initiatives to media outlets such as long leads, dailies, weeklies, online publications, and electronic bookings.
- Maintained close working relationships with media outlets (e.g., broadcast, radio, print, online, blogs, and trades).
- Monitored the competitive landscape and provided regular updates to senior management on key communication and press activity to ensure the company stayed ahead of industry trends.
- Organized press events, including seminars, media briefings, screenings, panels, partnerships (consumer and nonprofit), media tours, satellite and radio media tours, presentations for the Television Critics Association tour, and San Diego and New York Comic-Con.
- Managed budgets for press initiatives, talent travel expenses, and mailers with a focus on maximizing ROI across all PR functions.
- Wrote launch memos and wrap reports to document press coverage highlights.
- Liaised with production, casting, marketing, and digital/social teams to maintain and control the flow of information across the various teams.
- Coordinated festivals (e.g., SXSW, ATX) in connection with active series
- Engaged directly with producers, talent, talent managers and publicists
- Managed relationships with external public relations agencies and consultants to oversee the execution of launch and award campaigns.
- Collaborated with executive producers to streamline the process of submitting for awards.
- Researched, coordinated, and executed panels, screenings, and event opportunities with guilds, award organizations, critics groups, and industry trades.
- Leveraged social media platforms and incorporated the latest technology in PR practices.
- Worked on multiple campaigns simultaneously.
Sponsorship & Experiential Marketing Consultant
BRAND ALIGNMENT GROUP
09.2014 - 09.2019
- Created innovative event concepts while securing sponsorships, managing activations, and establishing partnerships to enhance client experiences in conferences, concerts, and fashion shows.
- Proactively identified and connected with prospective partners.
- Handled the management, direction, and delivery of incumbent partners' contractual rights.
- Ensured all sponsors were integrated and achieved their business objectives.
Publicity Consultant
FREELANCE
08.2012 - 09.2014
- Successfully oversaw diverse project assignments related to documentary feature films, retail stores, and Film/TV directors/producers.
- Pitched media outlets to promote client brands and generate coverage.
- Implemented strategies to promote word of mouth and grassroots screenings.
- Coordinated interviews and photoshoots between press and clients.
PR Manager of E! News and E! Online
E! ENTERTAINMENT
LOS ANGELES , CA
12.2010 - 08.2012
- Enhanced visibility of E! Entertainment through publicity efforts.
- Attended daily news planning meetings, developed press plans, wrote press releases, pitched, planted items, set and conducted interviews, and coordinated photography.
- Managed and oversaw breaking news.
- Collaborated with in-house production teams to identify upcoming segments, guests, and stunts. Developed pitching materials/releases/tune-ins for press distribution.
- Organized media events, red carpets, and press conferences.
PR Manager
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY MAGAZINE
NEW YORK , NY
10.2009 - 12.2010
- Managed media relations for Entertainment Weekly and EW.com.
- Engaged with consumer and online press to promote issues through compelling storytelling.
- Created and distributed press releases on a weekly basis.
- Coordinated interviews with press and Entertainment Weekly writers.
- Worked with studio and personal publicists to secure press on celebrity and movie cover stories.
Account Executive
42WEST
LOS ANGELES , CA
07.2006 - 08.2009
- Strategized and executed national and regional publicity campaigns for theatrical film releases, filmmakers, corporate clients, special events, and DVDs.
- Managed logistics for various industry events, such as press junkets, red-carpet premieres, and cocktail/dinner parties.
- Supervised a diverse team consisting of a junior publicist and an executive assistant.
- Managed special event responsibilities, including invitation development, RSVP list creation, caterer selection, and gift bag coordination.
- Contributed to crafting and executing collaborative awards campaign strategies
- Liaised with leaders and nominating bodies of the Film Academy, guilds, and other awards organizations.
- Negotiated with vendors, caterers, and security.
Senior Publicist
BAZAN ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING
LOS ANGELES , CA
03.2001 - 07.2006
- Successfully executed multicultural PR strategies for a diverse range of clients, including films, special events, DVDs, and TV projects, through extensive promotional campaigns encompassing broadcast TV channels along with various print outlets (monthly/weekly/daily) as well as radio and online platforms.
- Executed all special event duties, such as on-site inspections, invitations, RSVP lists, transportation, menu planning, signage, and gift bags.
- Arranged for meals, travel, accommodations, and activities on behalf of clients.
Film Coordinator
mPRm Public Relations
New York , NY
06.1999 - 03.2001
- Assisted in coordinating talent travel and interview schedules.
- Assisted in organizing and executing events such as junkets, festivals, premieres, and press days.
- Assisted in coordinating and managing schedules.
- Managed department day-to-day operations, including scheduling tasks and assigning duties.
- Tracked top press coverage.
- Updated various lists, documents, and charts.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
New York, NYSemester Abroad Program -
UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
LondonSkills
- Communication, interpersonal, and writing skills
- Persistence and determination
- Flexibility
- Take initiative
- Ability to present
- Logistics Management
- Budget Control
- Creativity and Innovation
- People Management
- Strategic Planning
- Story pitching
Commitees
- Member of TPEC Executive Committee
- Disney Entertainment Television Happiness Committee
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Publicity Director
DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION - FREEFORM
09.2019 - Current
Sponsorship & Experiential Marketing Consultant
BRAND ALIGNMENT GROUP
09.2014 - 09.2019
Publicity Consultant
FREELANCE
08.2012 - 09.2014
PR Manager of E! News and E! Online
E! ENTERTAINMENT
12.2010 - 08.2012
PR Manager
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY MAGAZINE
10.2009 - 12.2010
Account Executive
42WEST
07.2006 - 08.2009
Senior Publicist
BAZAN ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING
03.2001 - 07.2006
Film Coordinator
mPRm Public Relations
06.1999 - 03.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Semester Abroad Program -
UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
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