Jim Bright
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Biography
Jim Bright, an IU alumnus, joined the School of Journalism faculty as the Ralph Winslow Visiting Professor in August 2006.
Mr. Bright had retired as a public relations executive in May 2006 after 24 years at Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich.
In his most recent PR position, Mr. Bright was executive director-Public Affairs, with responsibility for the company's global PR activities.
During his career at Ford, Mr. Bright also served in PR positions at Ford's North American Operations; Mazda Motor Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan; International Operations; Marketing, Sales and Service; Ford Motor Credit Company; the company's Southwest Regional office, Dallas; and Employee Communications.
During his years at Ford Motor Company, Mr. Bright developed and implemented PR strategies for: (1) The launch of numerous products, (2) the global "Mazda Mirai" product road show and (3) Ford Motor Company's Centennial in 2003. He instituted "message alignment sessions" for spokespersons before global auto shows and other major events and handled communications surrounding many challenging issues, including major product recalls and a plane crash that killed four Ford executives. He also was part of a team that handled communications in the aftermath of a plant explosion that killed six employees.
As executive director, Mr. Bright initiated culture-change initiatives and organizational changes. He identified and took action on five strategic priorities that dramatically improved employee satisfaction scores in 15 categories.
Before joining Ford Motor Company, Mr. Bright worked as a sports writer for The Daily Press, Newport News, Va.; The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., and The Evening News, Jeffersonville, Ind. From 1980-1984 he worked in public relations at Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding.
In his last assignment at Ford, Mr. Bright served as executive director-Chief of Staff's Office, where he was responsible for leading Ford Motor Company's new initiative, the Ford Volunteer Corps, which makes it more convenient for the company's employees and retirees to serve their communities as volunteers. He also spearheaded Ford Motor's response to Hurricane Katrina survivors in Louisiana and Mississippi and led the company's efforts to mobilize employees, retirees and other resources to respond to needs of tsunami survivors in Southeast Asia and India.
Mr. Bright received his B.A. degree in journalism at Indiana University in 1974 and has done graduate coursework at Ohio University, the University of Detroit, the University of Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas.