Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by Morgan Waters

Jaguar Land Rover communications director Simon Warr visited J460 International Public Relations students via teleconference Wednesday. He talked about his job during the economic downturn as well as offered students career advice.

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Tapping the School of Journalism’s state-of-the-art technology, the global director of communications for Jaguar Land Rover shared thoughts and insights Wednesday with international public relations students by teleconferencing from his office in London.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Simon Warr gave students in Ralph Winslow Visiting Professor Jim Bright’s J460 International Public Relations class a behind-the-scenes look at the two British brands and efforts to use public relations to help the company navigate during the global economic downturn. The students gathered in Ernie Pyle Lounge, where they could see and interact with Warr on the large flat screen TV.

Warr, who formerly worked for Mazda Corporate Communications in Hiroshima, also talked about his experiences in Japan. He praised the Japanese for their strong teamwork and work ethic. The 16 students will spend spring break in Japan, where they will meet with journalists and public relations professionals.

“Public relations is an exciting environment, and it’s always possible to retain a sense of fun in what you do,” Warr said, even with the profound effect of the economic slump that has the global auto industry on its heels.

Jaguar Land Rover, which experienced three straight years of record sales and growth before the worldwide economic downfall, is experiencing hardships like everyone else.

“It’s still fun,” he said, “but now it’s more the type of fun that you get from a roller coaster ride.”

As head of communications, Warr and his team strive to get journalists and other influential audiences into Jaguars and Land Rovers so they can drive them and talk about them.

Among other things, they conduct ride and drive events, giving journalists the opportunity to experience the cars in remote destinations. They also keep fleets of cars to loan out to journalists across the globe.

Warr offered tips about the PR industry to seniors searching for jobs and internships. For example, a degree can only take you so far, he said. Internships and summer jobs are critical to learn the business.

Warr said “instinct” often plays a big role in the tough decisions that public relations professionals have to make.

“As you rise through the profession, you’ll make lots of judgment calls,” he said.

Warr also emphasized the need to be open and honest with the media.

“It is really something you can’t understand until you go there,” he said.

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