--- title: 'Publicist at Semafor' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/publicist-semafor-new-york-yfa6zq8mvqeh' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-15' --- # Publicist at Semafor - **Company:** Semafor - **Location:** New York, NY - **Posted:** 2026-10-13 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-15 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/semafor/jobs/4743206005 ## Job description ## Who we are Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world-class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi-polar world. Want to join us? Read on. ## About this role Reporting to the Global Head of Communications, this role will be responsible for helping to manage the day-to-day operations of Semafor’s communications efforts. Embedded deep within the fabric of the newsroom, you’ll be working with our journalists and editors each day on amplifying our journalism across outlets that align with our brand and goals, as well as supporting and promoting other core areas of our business. As Publicist, you will: - Work closely with the Global Head of Communications to develop and execute a robust day-to-day communications strategy that supports the newsroom. - Develop and implement communications / PR strategies that amplify Semafor’s high-impact reporting, editorial projects, and newsroom initiatives. - Proactively identify editorial moments, trends, or news cycles where our reporting and talent should be part of the media conversation - Maintain an always-on awareness of the competitive media landscape to spot gaps and opportunities for coverage. - Cultivate strong relationships with national TV and radio/podcast bookers, and maintain segmented, up-to-date media lists. - Pitch booking producers across major broadcast networks and platforms (including TV, radio, and podcasts/YouTube) daily, working closely with newsroom leaders and journalists to promote scoops and impactful journalism - Draft talking points, briefings, and internal messaging for internal and external communications, including writing and editing media alerts on deadline. - Secure daily press coverage across television, radio, print, and digital outlets for a wide range of coverage areas. - Support development and implementation of a creative and consistent internal communications strategy. - Lead and manage a global calendar of awards submissions, media lists, and speaking opportunities. - Oversee media monitoring, including compiling timely press recaps and reports using a range of PR tools. - Proactively recommend and implement new workflows and processes to improve the effectiveness and speed of the communications function. Requirements: - Experience in communications, preferably at a news organization, in media/entertainment/politics or other similar work environments. - Bachelor's degree or equivalent is preferred. - Deep passion for news and current affairs with broad understanding of the current global / U.S. news/media environment is a must. - Proven ability to garner media attention, craft stories, and drive daily results. - Previous experience booking network appearances for individuals/brands, and interacting with reporters on daily inquiries and media requests. - A team player with the ability to work with others in a fast-paced news environment on deadline. - A strong sense of what makes a good feature or news angle, and a varied contact list across the media landscape, including broadcast, print and online, with contacts in news in the US and globally - Impeccable writing skills with the ability to write and produce clear and concise communications materials under time constraints. - Previous experience with using PR & social media tools (e.g., Critical Mention, Muck Rack, Mailchimp, Twitter) is a plus - Experience with handling set-up and logistics for speaking engagements and events. - Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. - Proactivity and resourceful problem-solving skills. Additional Job Details This position is based in New York, NY. Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours and travel domestically and internationally on an as-needed basis. Salary Range: $90k-$110K base annual salary.  Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Additional job details Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full-time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as-needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance. Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. ## About Semafor ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Semafor is an intelligent, transparent global news platform that delivers original reporting, analysis, and high-level live journalism convenings for global decision-makers. - **Entity Type**: Private (Venture-backed) - **Headquarters**: Washington, D.C., United States - **Founded**: 2022 - **Founders**: Ben Smith, Justin B. Smith ## Core Business - **Industry**: Digital news media, live journalism events - **Target Customers**: B2B primarily (C-suite executives, global leaders, policymakers) and B2C (curious, informed global audience) - **Mission**: To provide an unparalleled level of journalistic transparency through innovative new forms, cutting through the noise of the news cycle with smart, distilled views and exploring competing perspectives across borders for a curious, new global audience. [Semafor About Page](https://www.semafor.com/about) ## Products & Services - **Semafor Daily News Briefings**: A suite of paid and free email-first publications covering key verticals, including: - **Semafor DC**: A daily guide to power and policy in Washington (publishing twice daily starting March 2026). - **Semafor Business**: A daily first-read for global business leaders. - **Semafor Gulf**: A daily first-read covering the Gulf region. - **CEO Signal**: An invitation-only newsletter with 75% of Fortune 500 company CEOs as engaged subscribers. - **Flagship News Website**: Original reporting, analysis, and features from global reporting hubs. - **Semafor Live Journalism & Events**: High-level global convenings connecting public and private sector leaders, including: - **Semafor World Economy Summit**: The largest annual gathering of CEOs in the United States. - **The Next Three Billion**: A platform focused on emerging economies. - **Future Products**: Semafor plans to launch a new **CEO-focused China news briefing** and new **audio and video products** in 2026. [Semafor Press Release](https://www.semafor.com/article/01/07/2026/semafor-marks-record-growth-and-profitability-for-global-news-media-launches-major-editorial-and-live-journalism-expansion) ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly available - **Key Metric**: **Annual Revenue of $40 million** (2025), achieving full-year **profitability** with **$2 million in EBITDA**. - **Total Funding**: **$74 million** across 3 rounds (Pre-Seed, Seed, and a recent Venture round closed in early 2026). - Pre-Seed Round (June 2022): $25 million from 7 investors. - Seed Round (May 2023): $19 million from 6 investors. - Venture Round (January 2026): $30 million from 5 investors. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly named in public sources, but backed by venture capital. - **Growth Signals**: - **Workforce**: 129 employees (+37.3% year-over-year). [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/semaformedia) - **Subscribers**: Over 1 million email subscriptions, heavily concentrated among C-suite leaders. - **Recognition**: Named to Fast Company’s Annual List of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024 for "rewriting the story" on international reporting. - **Geographic Expansion**: Reporting hubs in Washington DC, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Gulf. Plans to expand into Asia in 2026. ## Competitive Advantages - **Innovative "Semaform" Format**: The platform’s journalistic structure explicitly separates facts, analysis, opinion, and counter-narratives to rebuild trust with audiences. [Semafor About Page](https://www.semafor.com/about) - **High-Value Audience**: A highly concentrated, engaged subscriber base of global C-suite leaders and policymakers, creating a premium B2B brand for both news and events. - **Founding Team**: Led by two veteran media executives: Justin B. Smith (ex-CEO of Bloomberg Media, co-founder of Quartz) and Ben Smith (ex-Editor-in-Chief of BuzzFeed News, media columnist for The New York Times). - **Profitable Business Model in Digital Media**: Achieving profitability within three years is a significant differentiator in the current media landscape. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale Editorial Operations**: Expanding the frequency of key newsletters (Semafor DC, Business, Gulf) and launching new ones (China briefing). - **Expand Live Journalism**: Growing flagship events (World Economy Summit from 3 days to 5) and scaling global convenings in new markets (Asia, Gulf, Africa). - **Product Expansion**: Developing new audio and video products for decision-makers. - **Hiring for Growth**: Actively adding to its team of beat-defining journalists and commercial staff in key markets globally. ## Why Work Here - **High-Impact, High-Profile Work**: Opportunity to build a next-generation global news platform from a growth-stage startup that is already profitable. - **Growth Trajectory**: The company is aggressively expanding its editorial team, events, and product lines, offering significant career growth potential. - **Culture of Transparency**: The company’s entire product mission is built on journalistic transparency and rebuilding trust, which likely permeates the internal culture. - **Workplace Policy**: The company has a hybrid presence with offices in New York, Washington D.C., and London, as well as staff in hubs like the Gulf and Africa. - **Notable Perks**: Working with a high-caliber team of journalists and a strong leadership team with deep media industry experience. The company appears to have a high-performance culture focused on results and growth. ## Sources 1. [Semafor About Page](https://www.semafor.com/about) 2. [Semafor Press Release (Record Growth)](https://www.semafor.com/article/01/07/2026/semafor-marks-record-growth-and-profitability-for-global-news-media-launches-major-editorial-and-live-journalism-expansion) 3. [Semafor LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/semaformedia) 4. [Semafor Careers Page (Greenhouse)](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/semafor) 5. [Semafor Website](https://www.semafor.com/) ## Other roles at Semafor - [Client Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/client-coordinator-semafor-new-york-y0rct06hjway) — New York - [Briefing Coordinator, Live Journalism](https://feeny.ai/job/briefing-coordinator-live-journalism-semafor-washington-4b8m5fyvtkr8) — Washington, DC - [Editorial Event Producer - Contract Opportunity](https://feeny.ai/job/editorial-event-producer-contract-opportunity-semafor-remote-q5m4xeqk7xgf) - [Spend Management Lead (Accounts Payable & T&E)](https://feeny.ai/job/spend-management-lead-accounts-payable-t-e-semafor-new-york-sndvfc5x2v49) — New York, NY - [Flagship Lead Editor](https://feeny.ai/job/flagship-lead-editor-semafor-london-xgb08txz375q) — London, United Kingdom - [Video Producer Fellowship](https://feeny.ai/job/video-producer-fellowship-semafor-new-york-8tnvtw2vq57w) — New York, NY - [Senior Manager, HR Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-manager-hr-operations-semafor-new-york-03wa01wbtz2a) — New York, NY - [Senior Accountant](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-accountant-semafor-new-york-b05tph3d63tv) — New York, NY - [Senior Product Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-product-designer-semafor-new-york-vm2s8fnfhnjn) — New York, NY - [Asia Editor](https://feeny.ai/job/asia-editor-semafor-remote-0yw83jz53cx0)