Current Openings:
Sales: Advertising Account Executives
Got a strong background in sales? Want to sell something that brings true value to our community? Let’s talk.
The Knoxville Mercury offers a one-of-a-kind product to our readers and to our clients. It has unlimited potential to expand its place in Knoxville’s media marketplace. So we’re expanding our sales team—we need people with big ideas and the ability to execute them well.
We are looking for highly motivated Advertising Account Executives to develop and maintain profitable relationships with area businesses. You must have an entrepreneurial drive to develop new business and build client relationships and accounts, professional and personable demeanor, ability to self-manage daily activities and exceed monthly sales expectations.
In addition to selling and servicing existing accounts, Account Executives are responsible for selling new business and developing new leads, utilizing a consultative sales approach and making compelling presentations. You must have the ability to engage and grow direct relationships with potential clients and identify their advertising and marketing needs. You must be able to prepare and present compelling presentations with research and sound solutions to meet the needs of customers. You must be creative and consistent with constant follow-up. Extensive in-person and telephone prospecting is required. Your major focus will be on developing new business through acquiring new accounts and selling new marketing solutions to existing accounts.
Responsibilities:
- Identify and pursue new advertisers and client accounts
- Maintain High sales call volume and presentations to potential advertisers
- Follow up with and maintain client satisfaction throughout ad development, publication date, and contract
- Grow accounts through business development and professional relationships
- Maintain accurate record keeping of day to day activities, proposals, and contracts
Requirements:
- Two years of business to business and outside customer sales experience
- Personable, confident, and professional personality
- Superior communication and organizational skills
- Ability to develop and present both formal and informal proposals and product presentations
- Proficient business-related computer skills
- Valid Driver’s License, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation
- Bachelors Degree preferred
- Persuasive ability
- The ability to build relationships with customers
- Diplomacy and patience
- The ability to work under pressure and meet targets
Compensation:
- Base pay initially leading to a commissioned only position
- Uncapped commission opportunity
- Travel and expenses reimbursement
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to publisher/sales director Charlie Vogel:
charlie@knoxmercury.com
Editorial: Freelance Contributors
Help us make the Mercury the best paper in East Tennessee!
If you have an idea for a spectacular new department or column, then pitch us. All ideas will be considered! Or, if you’re an experienced reporter looking for assignments, let us know about your areas of expertise.
We especially would like to find contributors in the following areas:
- Business
- State politics
- Arts & entertainment
- General funniness
Things to consider:
- Our focus is primarily on the Knoxville area. National and international matters aren’t really our beat—unless there are distinct local connections.
- We don’t often cover breaking news. As a magazine, we’re more interested in covering local issues in depth, giving our readers more information and context than they can find elsewhere. We try to look at “big picture” topics.
- We love to tell stories that haven’t already been told. And if we’re going to cover something that other media in town have already reported on, then we aim to have a fresh angle on it. So please don’t pitch ideas for stories that you’ve seen elsewhere.
- Don’t be afraid to pitch offbeat ideas. We might see a way to fit them. Or maybe they’ll spark other ideas. Who the heck knows!
Finally, please be patient with us as we work our way through submissions. It takes a while to assess whether something might work. And sometimes, submissions fall into the gray category of “maybe”—so we might send something back for another try. This is not a perfect process.
For further insight into the sort of reporting and writing we look for, let us point you toward the Voice of San Diego’s guidelines for reporters. They’re right on the money.