Summer 2026 Public Relations Intern

McKinney • Durham, NC

12h • $18 • Onsite

About The Position

At McKinney, we believe in creating unfair attention for brands. We’re looking for curious, culture-obsessed, concept-driven creatives to join us for Summer 2026. If you’re the kind of person who sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be — we want to meet you.
This isn’t a coffee-run internship. You’ll make real work with real teams for real clients.

Requirements

• A rising junior, senior, recent grad, or graduate student pursuing Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• A strong writer who can adapt their tone based on client voice for everything from a formal press release to a punchy media pitch.
• News-literate, pop-culture obsessed and deeply curious about the evolving media landscape, from traditional outlets to emerging social platforms.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A "people person" who enjoys building relationships and isn't afraid to pick up the phone or send a cold pitch.
• Proactive and resourceful—you’re a problem solver who looks for the story where others see data.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and energized by the challenge of getting people to talk about our work.

Responsibilities

• Support the PR team in developing and executing earned media strategies and integrated communications plans.
• Draft press materials including press releases, media alerts, pitch letters, and briefing documents for client initiatives.
• Conduct media research and build targeted media lists using industry tools like Cision or Muck Rack.
• Monitor daily news cycles and industry trends to identify "newsjacking" opportunities for our brands.
• Assist with event coordination and influencer outreach programs.
• Help manage media tracking and monthly reporting to showcase the impact of PR efforts.
• Participate in brainstorms and contribute creative ideas
• Collaborate with cross functional teams including social, creative, strategy, influencer, production and more to ensure a consistent brand voice across channels

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in a modern PR environment where earned media meets creative advertising.
• A portfolio of written work, including published press releases or successful media placements.
• Exposure to the full lifecycle of a PR campaign, from strategy and pitching to measurement and reporting.
• Mentorship from seasoned PR professionals and communications strategists.
• A deeper understanding of how PR integrates with creative, strategy, and social media teams.
• A network of teammates and industry contacts who will champion your career growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed