Champ Car Announces New Hires To Public Relations Staff

Dov · 4 Jan 2005, 02:27 (Ref:1192602)

From CCWS.com:

Quote:

The Champ Car World Series today announced the addition of two public relations veterans to the Champ Car Public Relations staff, including the hiring of Steve Shunck as the Director of Public Relations.
Shunck takes over as the Director of Public Relations after serving in a similar post at Michigan International Speedway for the past two seasons. A former Champ Car employee, and graduate of Bowling Green State University, who served as Director of Broadcast P.R. until the 2002 season, Shunck will be tasked not only with leading the Public Relations Department, but also with aspects of Champ Car’s 2005 television operation.

Quote:

Also joining the Champ Car Public Relations staff is Tom McGovern, who served on the public relations staff of Team Green during its time in Champ Car. A graduate of the University of Florida, McGovern most recently served as on the communications staff at Andretti Green Racing in the Indy Racing League, but joins Champ Car as a Public Relations Specialist responsible for a number of projects including the creation of news and features for the series website.

camcartfan · 4 Jan 2005, 04:43 (Ref:1192629)

I hope these fella's can get the CCWS name out there. With the IRL starting to stumble, we really need it.

macdaddy · 4 Jan 2005, 05:17 (Ref:1192642)

What would the "Director of Public Relations" job description be?
Would this include advertising?
(Michigan Speedway doesn't seem to excel at this)

macdaddy · 4 Jan 2005, 05:48 (Ref:1192650)

Now I'm even more confused.

Looking at the Staff List on the ChampCar website, I notice that it hasn't been updated in awhile. At least not since that latest round of firings, (either that or they've rehired Kniefel).

At any rate, it does list quite a number of office jobs. From the company President to the drivers of the pace cars.

It does not, however, mention "Director of Public Relations" or "Public Relations Specialist".

So... Are these people replacing others that have departed?
Or are these brand-new positions?

camcartfan · 4 Jan 2005, 07:33 (Ref:1192673)

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdaddy

What would the "Director of Public Relations" job description be?
Would this include advertising?
(Michigan Speedway doesn't seem to excel at this)

Good point.

Tim Northcutt · 4 Jan 2005, 13:54 (Ref:1192849)

Quote:

Originally Posted by macdaddy

What would the "Director of Public Relations" job description be?
Would this include advertising?
(Michigan Speedway doesn't seem to excel at this)

Public Relations is "Earned Media" -- placing stories in the media with reporters, etc....serving as a direct contact for media.....handling the media room, news conferences, interview sessions at races, etc...This person would focus on Macro issues like major story placements nationally, internationally and in the industry, and from a Micro perspective, dealing with local and regional reporters for individual race event coverage and such to ensure awareness of their events...

This person would set the overall PR & media placement strategies for the organization....

The PR Specialist is an assistant who would help the Director with implementing the above functions, plus write news releases, etc...

A Public Relations position in an organization usually does not place advertising....that is usually the function of a Director of Marketing, who handles "Paid Media" or the purchases of ads...

I have worked in Media Relations for 22 years now....any you're not the first person who has asked that question about my profession, or those who do hold such posts....

Hope that clarifies it for you...

Kicking-back · 4 Jan 2005, 17:32 (Ref:1193035)

The fact the new staff have slightly different job titles to those who went before is no accident.

indycool · 5 Jan 2005, 12:26 (Ref:1193558)

I would think Shunck and McGovern replace Wendy Gabers. It'll be interesting to see how it's structured on reporting. It would seem that Eric Mauk, who held the thing together operationally all last year is now No. 3 in the pecking order.

Hazza · 5 Jan 2005, 13:50 (Ref:1193597)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

The PR Specialist is an assistant who would help the Director with implementing the above functions, plus write news releases, etc...

= Dream Job.

Might get it when I get my degree in a few years

Tim Northcutt · 5 Jan 2005, 13:54 (Ref:1193600)

As a guy who has done this type of work, Hazza, I can tell you that it is a great field to be in as a profession...

It is very fast-paced and there is something new every day....

I look forward to going to work every day....

I would love it even more if I did this for a racing series or a race team, though...

I agree...it would be the ultimate job...

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