B

Burson

Global reputation management and communications firm

Vice President, Earned Media — Technology

Full-Time
$75k - $180k
Expert
San Francisco, CA, USA
HybridTeams work in the office around four days a week.
Growth & MarketingPR & Communications

About the job

Requirements
  • Approximately 10–12 years of relevant experience in technology earned media, media relations or communications, with substantial responsibility for earned strategy and execution.
  • Direct, hands-on experience in at least two of the following: artificial intelligence, enterprise/business-to-business software, or early-stage companies.
  • Ability to turn business objectives and complex technology topics into distinctive narratives and sustained earned media programs.
  • Strong relationships with business and technology media, alongside an understanding of relevant trade outlets, independent journalists, newsletter writers and news creators.
  • Track record of securing meaningful coverage through proactive story development, executive positioning, customer storytelling and data-driven ideas.
  • Experience leading earned workstreams within integrated business-to-business campaigns, including product launches, company-owned events and major technology industry events.
  • Experience counseling senior clients and preparing executives for media interviews and other high-visibility opportunities.
  • Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills, with the ability to develop clear strategies, compelling pitches, executive messaging and briefing materials.
  • Experience managing teams and multiple client workstreams, contributing to new business and organic growth, and working within agreed scopes and budgets.
  • Experience using research, analytics and measurement to inform strategy, improve programs and demonstrate the contribution of earned media.
  • Ability to develop business-led earned strategies, identify compelling stories and assess what evidence will make them credible.
  • Ability to understand technology and translate complex topics into clear, accessible language.
  • Ability to present recommendations to senior clients, write pitches and speak with reporters.
  • Understanding of established newsrooms, trade media, newsletters, podcasts and news creators, and how to select appropriate media targets.
Responsibilities
  • Translate clients’ business priorities and reputation goals into clear narratives, proactive storytelling opportunities and actionable earned programs; define target audiences, intended understanding and earned outlets that can influence perceptions.
  • Work with clients to uncover ideas, data, customer experiences and proof points that make their businesses newsworthy, and recommend what they can do, say or create to attract media attention.
  • Connect technical capabilities and product innovation to stories about business transformation, competition, work and everyday life; develop narratives for business, technology and industry audiences.
  • Serve as a trusted day-to-day earned advisor, helping clients assess newsworthiness, sharpen their point of view and make informed decisions; explain the evolving media ecosystem and advise on sensitive issues with senior leaders and specialists as needed.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with national business and technology journalists, trade reporters, newsletter writers, podcasters and independent news creators; lead pitching and substantive media conversations to secure coverage.
  • Partner with account leads and colleagues across Strategy, Intelligence, Creative, Social and Digital to shape programs with a compelling earned story at their core.
  • Apply audience insights, media analysis, data and artificial-intelligence-powered tools to identify emerging conversations, narrative opportunities, white space and timely opportunities; interpret findings and translate them into recommendations.
  • Lead earned workstreams across launches, ongoing storytelling, company events and major industry moments; set priorities, manage timelines and resources, and evaluate results against agreed audience, narrative and reputation objectives.
  • Coach junior colleagues on strategy, storytelling, pitching and client counsel.
  • Contribute to new-business proposals and presentations, identify opportunities to expand existing relationships, and partner with account leaders on scopes, staffing and budgets.
Desired Qualifications
  • Agency experience.

About the company

B

Burson

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Burson is a global communications firm that uses reputation management to create value for clients. It helps clients build and protect their public image to gain competitive advantage by guiding how they communicate with audiences, stakeholders, and the market. By aligning reputation with business goals, Burson helps clients lead today and into the future. Its goal is to turn reputation into a strategic asset that supports sustainable leadership and growth.

Company Size

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Company Stage

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Total Funding

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Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Burson bought Limbik on August 12, 2026, owning Decipher's technology roadmap.
  • Meagan Fitzgerald joined Burson UK on September 1, 2026, strengthening crisis advisory.
  • Ross Hall's August 2026 promotion targets EMEA retention and organic growth.

What critics are saying

  • WPP hired Goldman Sachs in April 2026 to explore selling Burson.
  • Senior exits hit Burson in August 2026, including Kate Hopper and David Vindel.
  • Limbik integration risks product delays if Burson cannot absorb engineering and research quickly.

What makes Burson unique

  • Burson's Decipher predicts message resonance across 60 markets before campaigns launch.
  • Burson combines crisis counseling and AI products under Corey duBrowa's 2026 strategy.
  • Burson's WPP network gives global scale across reputation, media, and creative services.

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Benefits

  • Training Programs
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Executive Bulletin
Oct 20th, 2026
The Romans brings its globally award-winning Sports & Entertainment offering to MENA, appoints Sam Buckett as Managing Director.

The Romans brings its globally award-winning Sports & Entertainment offering to MENA, appoints Sam Buckett as Managing Director. October 20, 2026 The six-time MENA Agency of the Year becomes the second market to launch the offering, after the UK, with former Burson sports lead Sam Buckett taking charge for the region. Dubai, UAE - October 20, 2026: Serially award-winning independent creative PR agency The Romans has launched its dedicated Sports & Entertainment division in MENA, with Sam Buckett appointed Managing Director. The launch marks the regional expansion of one of The Romans' most successful global offerings, bringing a decade of earned-first, fan-centric creativity to one of the world's fastest-growing sports and entertainment markets. With the Middle East investing heavily in global sporting properties, live entertainment, cultural destinations, and homegrown talent, the region's ambitions have never been bigger, fans have never been more passionate, and the opportunities for brands to earn their place in culture have never been greater. But despite a $600 billion plus economy, the sports and live entertainment marketing industry is still struggling to live up to the expectations of the modern fan, according to The Romans. It's game time for the agency The Romans believes the region is ready for a new breed of sports and entertainment PR partner. One that combines the creative firepower of a modern independent agency with the strategic expertise, cultural intelligence, and industry relationships to deliver on the world stage. And one with a decade of experience driving global fandom and talkability for sporting and entertainment heavyweights including WWE, UFC, Formula E, Formula 1, Oakley, Puma and more. The marquee signing Joining from Burson in Saudi Arabia, where he headed up Sports & Entertainment, Sam Buckett brings extensive regional experience, including two years in the Kingdom and a stint in Qatar working on the FIFA World Cup. He'll be taking charge of The Romans' newest division, tasked with building its regional portfolio, creating new partnerships, and expanding the agency's presence across sports, entertainment, talent, fandom, and culture. And of course, delivering the best, earned-first, fan-centric creative work in the region. Sam Buckett, Managing Director, Sports & Entertainment MENA, The Romans, said,"The Romans have built a knock-out reputation globally as one of the best teams in Sports and Entertainment PR, with a trophy cabinet bigger than Al Hilal. I'm over the moon to be bringing this distinctly unique offering to MENA and to deliver work no other agency in this part of the world could conceive. "There are few things in life people care more about than their sports and entertainment passions. But too often fans are taken for granted. Treated as a captive audience, resulting in boring, lazy PR. We are going to change that. Nowhere else on the planet is investing in sport and entertainment on the scale of this region, both as a host of major events, but also as a creator and exporter of IPs, rights, brands and communities. Our aim is to represent the vibrancy and passion of each part of this region for sport and entertainment and have some fun doing it. It won't be boring." The new division will bring The Romans' expanded playbook to the region, combining PR & influencer, partnerships and sponsorship strategies and activations, content and creative activations, and reputation management. Joining the heavyweights The division will build on an already mouthwatering regional roster of major sports and entertainment players, including Ethara, the business behind the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It will also support the global portfolio. Joe Lipscombe, Partner, The Romans MENA, said,"Executive Bulletin has gone big in the transfer market and made a marquee signing in Sam Buckett. A cool, experienced head with the energy of a young Mo Salah. Sports & Entertainment is in its DNA and Executive Bulletin has been waiting for the right moment to bring its unique offering here to the region. This is one of the most passionate fan cultures in the world, but they're bored of logo wallpaper, kit collaborations, and the same three footballers being recruited for every campaign. They deserve better. That's its goal. "In Sam, we've found another one of the region's most exciting young leaders, who knows his way around the boardroom as much as he does a golf course. It's unfortunate he's a Liverpool fan, but no one's perfect." The MENA announcement is the latest chapter in an already impressive global story for the agency's sports and entertainment practice. Buckett will build on the vision of global Sports & Ents lead Chris Allen, and his award-winning team in the UK. "Sam has plied his trade in more countries than Cristiano, which means he has developed a unique and deep understanding of fandom in the Middle East and beyond," said Chris Allen, Executive Director of Sports & Entertainment, The Romans. "His signing will allow us to build on the brilliant sports work we are already doing in the region, turning the considerable investment and ambition of brands and organizations into ideas that earn their place in culture. Sam's appointment also marks an exciting step in the growth of our sports and entertainment offering globally." The announcement follows a remarkable run of form for The Romans in MENA. Since opening its Dubai doors in 2024, the agency has rapidly established itself as one of the region's most provocative and exciting independent creative agencies. In less than two years, The Romans has collected six Agency of the Year titles and built a growing portfolio of regional and international clients including Porsche, Binance, Ethara, WaterWipes, Costa Coffee, and SharkNinja, among others. The Sports & Entertainment launch marks another major move in the agency's regional growth story, adding specialist firepower to a business built on independence, creative ambition, and a healthy disregard for the mundane. "We're here to give the sports and entertainment market the PR it deserves. Our DMs are wide open, we're taking briefs, and we're scouting the region's best talent. Game on," added Lipscombe.

Provoke Media
Oct 12th, 2026
Tom Malcolm returns to Burson as UK chief growth officer.

Tom Malcolm returns to Burson as UK chief growth officer. Malcolm rejoins the agency after 16 months as UK group managing director of MSL and Salterbaxter. LONDON - Burson has appointed Tom Malcolm as UK chief growth officer, marking his return to the agency after he left in June 2025 to lead MSL and Salterbaxter in the UK. Malcolm will lead Burson's UK growth team, working with its EMEA and global counterparts to develop new business, strengthen client relationships and bring together the agency's specialist capabilities around client challenges. He was previously Burson's UK group managing director for consumer and brand, and EMEA consumer and brand practice lead, where he led the agency's integrated consumer offering across the region. Most recently, he was UK group managing director of Publicis agency brands MSL and Salterbaxter. Last month, Sam Corry was promoted to CEO of MSL UK as well as continuing as CEO of sister agency Taylor Herring. The move follows Burson's promotion of Helen Searle to a global growth role and Ross Hall to EMEA chief client officer this summer. Burson UK CEO Simon Redfern said: "Tom knows Burson incredibly well, but he also brings a strong external perspective shaped by his experience across the wider communications industry. "During his previous time with us, he played an important role in building some of our strongest client relationships. Since then, he has gained an even broader perspective on agency growth, client expectations and the opportunities facing our industry. That combination of deep knowledge of Burson, valuable external perspective, client insight and proven leadership in driving growth makes him a brilliant fit for our business and our ambitions for the future." Malcolm has more than 20 years' experience across consumer, retail, FMCG, finance, leisure, food and beverage, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, leading integrated campaigns and multidisciplinary teams in the UK and internationally. He said: "Burson has built a genuinely global growth engine that puts client reputation at the centre. That's only possible with the best talent working together globally. "I know first-hand the calibre of thinking, craft and innovation at Burson, which is why I jumped at the chance to return. Working with Simon and our best-in-class team, we couldn't be better placed to help clients navigate a new era in which reputation and growth are more intertwined than ever." Article tags News direct to your inbox The agency playbook. The PR industry's most comprehensive listing of firms from every region and specialty.

Provoke Media
Sep 23rd, 2026
Highwire adds Barrasso, Saleh to senior leadership team.

Highwire adds Barrasso, Saleh to senior leadership team. Kona Barrasso joins as managing director of business services, while Nyla Saleh has been named executive VP, executive client partner. SAN FRANCISCO - Highwire has expanded its senior leadership team with the appointments of Kona Barrasso as managing director of business services and Nyla Saleh as executive VP, executive client partner. Barrasso will lead the development of Highwire's business services practice, with responsibility for the agency's work across B2B, financial and professional services and impact. She brings 20 years of experience across agency and in-house roles. Before joining Highwire, Barrasso held senior positions at WE Communications, Burson and Makovsky, working with clients including SAP, PwC, Accenture and Capgemini. She also previously worked in-house at Kearney. Saleh joins Highwire after most recently serving as a brand practice and North American retail sector lead at Weber Shandwick, where she was also senior client relationship lead for The Home Depot. Earlier, Saleh spent eight years at Edelman, where she led the TJX Companies business, and began her career at Ogilvy working across corporate and technology communications. At Highwire, Saleh will serve as a senior executive partner to major clients, working across the agency's strategy, creative, media and marketing capabilities. "Kona and Nyla exemplify the caliber of senior counselor that clients operating in high-stakes markets require," said Highwire CEO Michael O'Brien. "During their careers, they have earned the trust of leading brands, grown complex client relationships, and built strong teams capable of navigating today's most dynamic news cycles." Article tags News direct to your inbox The agency playbook. The PR industry's most comprehensive listing of firms from every region and specialty.

Campaign Middle East
Sep 4th, 2026
Simon Shaw moves on from Chief Communications & Marketing Officer role at King Salman Park.

Simon Shaw moves on from Chief Communications & Marketing Officer role at King Salman Park. At King Salman Park Foundation, his remit spanned corporate and brand strategy, communications, marketing, governance, stakeholder alignment and opening readiness. Simon Shaw is moving on from his role as Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at King Salman Park Foundation in Riyadh, where he built a multidisciplinary team and strengthened the Foundation's corporate, brand, marketing and communications capabilities. His remit spanned corporate and brand strategy, communications, marketing, governance, stakeholder alignment and opening readiness, supporting one of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious Vision 2030 urban transformation projects. Having worked across the Middle East as a consultant for several years, Shaw's move to the Foundation marked a transition into full-time, in-house leadership in the region. "It was a great honour to contribute to a landmark project of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and to make Riyadh my home," said Shaw. "The experience deepened my appreciation of Saudi Arabia's rich and beautiful culture and my understanding of the ambition driving the Kingdom's transformation." He added, "With my background in strategy, creativity and architecture, the opportunity to help shape a place that brings together nature, culture and community was particularly meaningful. I leave proud of what we built: a clear direction for the brand, stronger marketing and communications capabilities, and a talented team equipped to support the Park's next stage of development. I'm excited to see what they achieve next." Shaw previously served as Global Chief Creative Officer at Burson and Global Chief Creative Strategy & Innovation Officer at Hill & Knowlton. In these roles, he advised CEOs, executive teams and marketing leaders on corporate, brand and reputation strategy, alongside communications and marketing. He also led global transformation programmes, integrated strategy, creative and content capabilities, and built international innovation hubs at the agency. His experience spans the Middle East, China, Europe, the UK and the US. As he considers his next chapter, Shaw will now move into an independent advisory role, bringing together his international consulting background and in-house leadership to advise organisations on strategy, building brand and corporate reputation, creative transformation, communications and marketing strategies. "The Middle East remains close to my heart and an important part of my plans," he concluded. "I'm enjoying applying the experience gained across consultancy and in-house leadership to new challenges and look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and exploring new collaborations and opportunities across the region and beyond." Anup Oommen is the Editor of Campaign Middle East at Motivate Media Group, a well-reputed moderator, and a multiple award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience at some of the most reputable and credible global news organisations, including Reuters, CNN, and Motivate Media Group. As the Editor of Campaign Middle East, Anup heads market-leading coverage of advertising, media, marketing, PR, events and experiential, digital, the wider creative industries, and more, through the brand's digital, print, events, directories, podcast and video verticals. As such he's a key stakeholder in the Campaign Global brand, the world's leading authority for the advertising, marketing and media industries, which was first published in the UK in 1968.

Provoke Media
Sep 2nd, 2026
Burson hires NBC correspondent as UK crisis lead.

Burson hires NBC correspondent as UK crisis lead. Former foreign correspondent Meagan Fitzgerald joins Burson UK from NBC News to head its crisis and issues practice. LONDON - Burson has appointed former NBC News foreign correspondent Meagan Fitzgerald as UK head of crisis and issues, strengthening its offer to clients navigating geopolitical uncertainty, fast-moving reputational threats and an increasingly fragmented media environment. Fitzgerald (pictured) joins the WPP-owned agency after nearly two decades in broadcast journalism, most recently as a foreign correspondent for NBC News Worldwide. A twice Emmy-nominated journalist, she has reported from the front lines of major global events, including wars, geopolitical crises and political and economic developments. In her new role, Fitzgerald will lead Burson UK's crisis and issues team, advising clients on anticipating risk, responding under pressure and communicating clearly when scrutiny is at its most intense. "Clients are facing unrelenting pressure and continuous disruption, from geopolitical turbulence to a hyper-fragmented media landscape," said Burson UK CEO Simon Redfern. "Meagan's considerable experience provides a unique perspective on how narratives form in real time and how brands can communicate effectively when the stakes are highest. "This expertise will be invaluable in helping our clients build and protect their reputations in this new intelligence era." Redfern added that Fitzgerald's ability to distil complex issues into clear narratives across broadcast, digital and social platforms, along with her experience building high-performing teams, made her "the perfect fit" to lead the agency's crisis and issues practice. Before becoming a foreign correspondent, Fitzgerald was an anchor and reporter at NBC-owned Washington DC station WRC-TV, where she led live coverage of breaking news and produced original reporting for broadcast and digital audiences. She began her career as an investigative reporter in Louisiana. "Issues can become crises in minutes. I've seen it firsthand, reporting live as stories unfolded," said Fitzgerald. "The strongest crisis counsel starts well before that moment - helping leaders anticipate risk, make sound decisions under pressure and communicate clearly when every word matters." Article tags News direct to your inbox The agency playbook. The PR industry's most comprehensive listing of firms from every region and specialty.