Director, Media & Relations

About AppDirect Become a digital, global citizen and enable the new generation of digital entrepreneurs around the world. AppDirect offers a subscription commerce platform to sell any product, through any channel, on any device - as a service. We power millions of subscriptions worldwide for organizations. We do this by our values-driven culture - one that enables you to Be Seen, Be Yourself, and Do Your Best Work. About the Role This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a senior PR professional who wants to own the media narrative for a growing company. As Media Relations Director, you'll shape and execute our earned media strategy, working directly with executives to land stories in top-tier business and technology outlets. We're looking for someone with deep journalist relationships, sharp instincts, and the ability to turn company moments into compelling coverage. If you want a seat at the table—not a seat at an agency—this is it. What You'll Do Media Relations Strategy & Execution Own the full media relations function end-to-end—strategy through execution Develop and drive a proactive, calendar-driven PR program aligned with product launches, company milestones, and brand priorities Identify and pursue compelling story angles that resonate with journalists and align with business goals Pitch relentlessly—leverage your relationships to secure placements in tier-1 outlets (WSJ, Forbes, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, NYT, Fast Company, etc.) and top industry trades Manage inbound media inquiries with speed and sound judgment Write and produce all media materials: press releases, pitches, media alerts, bylines, op-eds, briefing docs, talking points, and Q&As Brief and prep executives for interviews; provide real-time support during media engagements Monitor news cycles and identify rapid-response opportunities to insert our POV into relevant conversations Media Relations Maintain and grow a robust network of journalist relationships across business, tech, and trade media Be the kind of PR pro who can pick up the phone and get a reporter's attention—not just send cold emails Track journalist beats, interests, and coverage patterns to personalize outreach and increase hit rates Build trust with reporters through transparency, reliability, and delivering quality stories Analyst Relations Support Partner with our analyst relations contractor to coordinate messaging and briefings with firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC Align media narratives with analyst positioning and ensure consistency across external audiences Support analyst report cycles and inquiries as needed Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility Develop and pitch thought leadership content (bylines, op-eds, podcast appearances, speaking opps) to elevate executive profiles Position our leaders as credible voices on industry trends, innovation, and company mission Ghostwrite or heavily support executive content for external publication Measurement & Reporting Track and report on media coverage quality, volume, sentiment, and share of voice vs. competitors Provide regular updates to leadership on PR program performance and media landscape insights Use media monitoring tools to stay ahead of relevant news and competitive activity Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Product Marketing, Content, Demand Gen, and Executive Comms to align messaging Work with Legal and HR on sensitive communications when needed Collaborate with events and campaigns teams to maximize PR around key moments AI Integration & Media Evolution Leverage AI tools and platforms to augment daily workflows, media research, content creation, and real-time monitoring, enhancing overall operational efficiency. Proactively analyze the evolving media landscape through the ever evolving AI lens, understanding its impact on reporting, discovery, and audience engagement. Develop and implement forward-thinking PR strategies that capitalize on AI-driven changes, ensuring our media relations efforts