Summary of the Communications Manager job at Monks

About the Role

We are seeking a Communication Manager with solid, hands-on experience in agency PR or industry trade media to lead editorial content and awards across APAC.

This is an editorial-first communications role focused on crafting high-caliber thought leadership, industry commentary, press releases, and narrative pieces. Rather than brand marketing or lead generation, your core function is to build industry authority and drive agency narrative through authoritative editorial content and strong media strategy. You will bring sharp industry-specific insights—ideally honed inside an advertising agency or a major trade publication—to elevate Monks’ presence across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Editorial Content Creation & Thought Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end strategy, writing, and placement of editorial content across APAC markets.
• Create high-impact editorial pieces, op-eds, press releases, industry fellowship/white papers, and executive narratives.
• Develop sharp POVs on critical shifts across advertising, media, AI, tech, and culture.
• Translate complex agency work, strategic tech offerings, and campaign case studies into compelling industry stories.
• Ghostwrite and polish commentary for executive leaders to establish individual and agency thought leadership.

• PR & Trade Media Relations

• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases for major regional campaign launches, key hires, and business milestones.
• Proactively pitch stories, opinion pieces, and expert commentary to top trade publications (e.g. Campaign, WARC, trade media).
• Build and maintain strong direct relationships with key regional journalists, editors, and industry analysts.
• Serve as the primary editorial contact for press inquiries across APAC markets.

• Awards & Work Recognition

• Oversee narrative development and entry submissions for major industry awards (e.g., Cannes Lions, Campaign Asia Awards, Spikes Asia, Effies).
• Work directly with agency creative, strategy, and account teams to extract award-worthy stories and turn them into persuasive submission copy.
• Leverage award recognitions for trade PR placement and editorial follow-ups.

• Event Messaging & PR Amplification

• Craft pitch decks, panel talking points, and keynote messaging for leaders speaking at major industry events.
• Turn event keynotes and panel discussions into editorial summaries, trade articles, and press features.

• Editorial Strategy & Cadence

• Partner with the Marketing VP to maintain an active, highly structured editorial calendar for APAC.
• Ensure local market press releases and commentary align with global agency positioning while remaining regionally impactful.

Requirements

• 7 –10 years of hands-on experience directly in agency PR, corporate communications, or trade journalism.
• Proven background working within an ad agency, PR agency, media agency, or trade publications like The Drum, Adweek, Campaign, or WARC.
• Exceptional, portfolio-backed writing and editing skills in English (native or near-native level); Mandarin is a plus.
• Deep, industry-specific knowledge of the advertising, marketing, and media landscape.
• Proven track record of writing and publishing long-form editorial content, press releases, opinion pieces, and fellowship papers.
• Established media network with regional and global advertising/tech press.
• Solid experience writing award entries and case study narratives for agency recognitions.

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