PR Account Assistant Intern

Company description

Publicis Groupe is a global leader in communication and is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation.

Publicis Groupe Africa has opened applications for Le Cubs 2027, its flagship 12-month internship programme designed to give young South African graduates meaningful workplace experience and an opportunity to build future-ready careers in the marketing and communications industry.

Starting in March 2027, successful applicants will join teams across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, gaining hands-on experience in disciplines including creativity, strategy, human resources, data, technology, AI, media and business support.

Le Cubs is designed to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the workplace, giving graduates the opportunity to move beyond theory, contribute to real work, learn from industry professionals and develop practical skills in a connected, collaborative environment.

Overview

Tittle: PR Account Assistant Intern
Location: JHB
Reporting To: PR Account Director/Manager

JOB PURPOSE

As an Intern/Account Assistant at MSL, your goal is to learn and become an expert on all PR processes and administration tasks for the smooth running of the account portfolio. Ke focus areas are effective time keeping assistance with general team administration (e.g. meeting notes), coverage tracking and reporting.

Responsibilities

What you’ll do everyday

CORE CAPABILITIES

Media lists

Keep media lists updated, inform agency colleagues of media moves/changes, and compile tailored media lists per client content piece, while maintaining an updated master media list for each client in your team.

Media relations

Build a solid knowledge of the South African media landscape and start making and keeping media contacts.

Pitching skills

Grow in ability and confidence to pitch stories and find creative angles that resonate with journalists.

Writing

Develop basic writing skills, especially (but not limited to) email communication and media pitches.

Research

Demonstrate basic research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.

MSL Newsdesk

Participate in daily newsdesk/media meetings, taking notes when asked.

Computer skills

Strong proficiency in all Microsoft Office packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (or other company-preferred applications), taking Marcel Classes to become an advanced user of these programmes.

Qualifications

• Recently completed or currently completing a Diploma or Degree in:
• Public Relations
• Communications or a related field

Personal Attributes

• Taking initiative
• Demonstrate consistent, proactive, positive contribution at all times, as well as a self-starter approach to your work.

Proactive upskilling

• Demonstrate efforts to understand content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio), your client’s industry, staying abreast of the broader news environment, and spotting opportunities for media conversation building. 

Communication skills

• Develop and continuously improve face-to-face, telephonic and email etiquette (internally and externally). 

Time management:

• Effectively use and manage your own time to meet deadlines, always informing your team if you are falling behind on a task before it is due.

Prioritisation

• Start to build an ability to prioritise tasks.

Detail-orientated

• Work to become a stickler for unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, including documents, presentations, emails and all other communiques.

Quality

• Consistently strive to deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards.

Proactive learning

• Demonstrate use of the Marcel Classes portal and other internal training
• sessions to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey.

Respect

• Acknowledge and respond to instructions from senior staff as soon as possible (email, instant message or spoken).

Client services

• Understanding
• Demonstrate a keenness to learn and grow your understanding of the agency’s
• clients’ businesses and knowledge of competitors.
• Client knowledge
• Develop confidence to contribute own ideas to planning and brainstorm
• meetings.
• Client relations
• Start to develop personalised, friendly rapport with clients.

Agency operations

• Coverage
• Take ownership of daily coverage tracking for reports and timeous client coverage updates. 
• Reporting
• Work with AE/AM to ensure quality, timeous monthly reports are delivered to clients.
• Timesheets
• Demonstrate effective time recording (daily, accurate data logged on Chase, as per Groupe deadlines).
• Client birthdays
• Keep an updated record of all relevant client birthdays for your team and liaise with the operations team weekly to plan for client birthdays in the week ahead. Take responsibility for informing your team and ensuring actions are taken to acknowledge clients’ birthdays. 

The MSL Way

•  Work to learn and live MSL’s company values in all professional interactions and work. 

Know the agency and the Publicis Africa Groupe (PGA)

• Demonstrate an interest in becoming familiar with both MSL and PGA's organisational structures and offerings.

WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF

• Microsoft Office Suite

Additional information

Publicis Groupe Africa is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups. Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV including a link to your portfolio if necessary. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

COMPANY VALUES

TRUST

Trust is the cornerstone upon which we build our relationships. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of how a partner should behave. We treat our people and our clients with respect, transparency and honesty

TALENT

This is first and foremost a people business. We are committed to ensuring Publicis Groupe is a destination for the best talent in our industry. We value people as individuals, growing ourselves as we grow our client’s business

TRANSFORMATION

True transformation comes when we stop managing change, and instead initiate change. We believe in our purpose to be the admired force for business transformation. We believe that focusing on performance and results has the power to transform client business