Marketing and communications officers have bachelor’s degrees in public relations, journalism, communications or English. At the Gallery, marketing and communications officers deal with the media and the public in both English and French, so they must be bilingual.
"A Communications, Marketing or Tourism degree is required to perform this role. As well, becuase we are a national museum, you need to be bilingual. Training in public speaking, sales, and advertising is also key"
Helene Donaldson, Tourism Marketing Officer
The Marketing and Communications department attracts visitors to the Gallery.
Communications officers keep the media (newspapers, magazines, television and radio) up-to-date with information on all the Gallery’s exhibitions and programs. They write press releases, organize press conferences, and convince journalists to cover the Gallery’s programs. Communications officers also work with community groups to spread the word about the Gallery and to find new audiences. The department maintains the Gallery’s Web site to offer information to potential visitors who are on-line.
Marketing officers work with tour agencies to make sure that tour organizers know about the Gallery and plan to bring their groups here. These may be groups from other places in Canada or from other countries. Marketing officers also collaborate with tourism departments run by national, provincial and local governments to promote Ottawa and the Gallery as appealing destinations for tourists.
If you are interested in writing and communications, visit the Gallery’s on-line Press Room and read sample news releases written by Gallery staff. See the Gallery’s Web site for more information.
"As Tourism Marketing Officer I liaise with the hospitality industry to promote the National Gallery to locals, leisure tourists and business travellers. I also coordinate advertising campaigns in Canada and the US to draw visitors to Ottawa and the National Gallery."
Helene Donaldson, Tourism Marketing Officer
