Ed Miliband seeks broadcasting expert to improve his TV image

Ed Miliband is looking to hire a “senior Press Officer or broadcast journalist” to act as his “Head of the Leader’s Broadcasting”, according to a job advert that has appeared on the party website. The new leader’s office staffer – who will report to Comms chief Bob Roberts and Chief of Staff Tim Livesey – should have “experience of dealing with good and bad news stories”, according to the ad, as well as having “fresh ideas” and understanding how to maximise Miliband’s “brand strengths”.

There have been murmerings about the difference between Miliband’s confident public performances and his less successful broadcast style – in particular, Miliband faced criticism last year over a “down the line” interview with Radio 4’s Martha Kearney – and most of Miliband’s media hires thus far have been from the world of print media.

This new hire seems intended to inject a greater broadcast sensibility into Miliband’s operation, and boost the Labour leader’s visibility and reach in the 13 months until the general election campaign. And having greater broadcast experience in his office won’t hurt if there are TV debates either.

Here’s the key section of the job description (below) and you can see the full ad here:

• Overseeing the broadcast output and visual images of the Leader of the Opposition.

• Advising Leader of the Opposition on broadcast performance and helping him prepare for clips/interviews/visits.

• Overseeing the broadcast grid ensuring all conferences, visits and events by the Leader of the Official Opposition receive effective broadcast coverage.

• Developing and sustaining relationships with senior broadcasters.

• Setting up broadcast interviews and photo opportunities for the national media

• Developing fresh ideas for making the best of Leader of Opposition’s brand strengths and communicating his message in broadcast medium.
• To carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Executive Director of Communications.