Marketing Specialist - RP Funding Center

Overview

General Description Of Class:
This position is responsible for all marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts for the RP Funding Center, its events, facilities, and services. The Marketing Specialist manages event publicity and advertising budgets, and ensures successful campaigns across concerts, sporting events, meetings, and shows. The role involves interaction with media outlets, community organizations, event promoters, and institutional advertisers, including negotiating service trade agreements and fostering partnerships to enhance public and community engagement.

Additional responsibilities include brand management, public relations, media buying and billing oversight, group sales, and community outreach. Work is performed under the supervision of the RP Funding Center Marketing & Sales Manager and is periodically reviewed through conferences, reports, and results achieved.

• Develops, implements, and evaluates annual marketing strategies and goals to promote concerts, shows, and venue services.
• Manages and monitors the marketing department s budget, ensuring efficient resource use and maximizing ROI.
• Prepares and maintains project budgets, working closely with the Marketing and Sales Manager and the RP Funding Director on post-show recaps.
• Develops and shares data for all marketing initiatives.
• Analyzes campaign performance, digital metrics, and customer feedback to refine strategies and report on KPIs.
• Creates and executes integrated marketing and advertising plans across digital, radio, print, TV, outdoor, and grassroots channels.
• Creates and maintains relationships with local, regional, and industry media partners and supports promoters.
• Develops and implements creative campaigns targeting promoters and show organizers to sell Lakeland and RP Funding Center as an entertainment destination.
• Develops and implements creative campaigns to promote premium seating or group sales.
• Negotiates media contracts and implements creative cash/trade proposals and campaigns.
• Leads all public relations efforts, including press releases, presentations, media drops, artist relations, and hospitality coordination.
• Enhances existing promotional initiatives and develops new marketing programs and initiatives to maximize ROI, such as third-party partnerships and new media avenues.
• Maintains media resource lists, issues press credentials, and manages press functions.
• Writes and reviews copy for public service announcements, calendars, and promotional materials.
• Develops and manages social media campaigns, email marketing, and digital promotions to drive ticket sales and brand awareness.
• Creates and maintains brand voice across all platforms and external marketing efforts.
• Partner with web development teams to enhance site features and user engagement.
• Standardizes the reporting of digital campaigns using tools such as Google Analytics.
• Develops marketing plans to promote all artists and tours coming to RP Funding Center and its affiliated venues.
• Supports event promoters in their marketing efforts and enhances the artist experience.
• Creates pre-show and post-show guest experiences that enhance venue appeal and community engagement.
• Manages internal marketing assets, including marquees, LED ribbons, posters, and ticket giveaways.
• Develops and maintains third-party partnerships and sponsor ships, including contract negotiation.
• Collaborates with Visit Central Florida, area hotels, chambers, and other stakeholders to promote Lakeland and the venue.
• Explores cross-marketing opportunities between events, partners, and the broader community.
• Stays current on national industry trends and local market shifts to inform strategy.
• Provides thought leadership and strategic focus to marketing communications and customer experience initiatives.
• Leverages research and analytical skills to drive data-informed decisions and innovation.
• Facilitates training and collaborates across departments to ensure project success.
• Works in collaboration with the venue’s F&B General Manager and division marketing leads.
• Addresses complaints and serves as a liaison between the venue, patrons, and promoters.
• Participates in mission-critical operations and alternate scheduling as needed.
• Conducts daily activities, including graphic design and internal communications, in alignment with company policy.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• Requires business-related travel within and outside the state, including attending industry and event-related consumer/trade functions, meetings, conferences, and educational forums.
• May function as a duty manager.
• Performs related work as required.

• Bachelor s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Marketing,…