Walter Jennings is an American who migrated to Sydney, Australia.
We found Walter through James Farmer, our kind benefactor for PRblogs.org. Walter met James as he launched his own blog, WallyDownUndy.
Walter has more than 20 years’ experience in the communications industry. Most recently he served as managing director of Burson-Marsteller Australia. Now he is in private practice as a consultant.
In his own words:
I’m a public relations professional. A PR guy. I don’t like spin doctor because I don’t spin. I communicate.
I specialise in high profile corporate relations. I counsel senior leaders on complex issues when communicating to a broad range of people, from employees to families to investors to analysts to regulators.
A 1984 graduate of St. Lawrence University, Jennings “is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, an organization for senior public relations and corporate communications executives, and he serves on the board of the Global Public Affairs Institute, as well as the boards of two charities.” (Source)
We welcome Walter to the group of contributors. Look for a post from him soon.
In case you don’t know, the contributors to Marcomblog sign on to mentor students out of their own kindness and generosity. They are volunteers. Each one will, time allowing, post once per month to the blog.
We have just begun our semester’s social media activity and look forward to another year of insights from our volunteer mentors from around the world.
8 comments
9/6/2007 at 9:29 am
Mary Kneeland
Welcome Walter! Thanks for giving your time to the Auburn students!
9/20/2007 at 11:09 pm
Sarah H
I appreciate the professionals who put forth their own time and effort to help us. Mr. Jennings, thank you and welcome.
As students, we are all eager to hear from PR practitioners. It gives us a unique perspective into what we might be doing after graduation. Any insight is certainly appreciated.
Thank you to those of you who are helping us!
9/26/2007 at 4:28 pm
Tyra
Mr. Jennings we definitely thank you. At this point any advice and any suggestions from a PR professional are greatly appreciated. It says so much when you all as mentors take time from your busy schedules to leave posts.
We are on the verge of graduation and entering the professional world so a few of us are worried and wondering what types of things we need to know and to look out for. With the help of you and other mentors we’ll be more knowledgeable and up to speed on things. Thanks again.
10/25/2007 at 4:04 pm
sara
Mr. Jennings,
Thank you for becoming a part or marcomblog. As a student who is getting ready to graduate, I assure you that any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am also intrigued by the fact that you work in Australia. I have a very strong interest in working in another country at some point in my career. I think it would be a very rewarding experience and I want to work somewhere where English is the primary language. Like I said, PR advice would be greatly appreciated, I would especially love to hear about anything you encounter that is unique to Australia. Thank you in advance!
10/26/2007 at 10:58 am
Stephanie
I like when you say “I’m a public relations professional. A PR guy. I don’t like spin doctor because I don’t spin. I communicate.”
I encounter that sort of image or perception all the time when I tell people my major is public relations. I like to tell people that we actually learn about PR ethics and are taught to be truthful and upfront with media and the people around us.
I hope that this generation of PR professionals can break the stigma of being a spin doctor. Thanks for coming aboard. You seem like a great role model for students and young professionals.
11/8/2007 at 8:57 pm
Ashley D.
Mr. Jennings,
Thank you so much for becoming a part of the marcomblog family. As a student that’s about to enter into the professional world of public relations, it’s wonderful to hear from a professional, pr practitioner.
It’s truly motivating to see someone, such as yourself, doing well and making an impact in public relations.
I hope to achieve the same amount of success in the future.
11/13/2007 at 11:23 am
Jordan
I just wanted to say welcome and thank you for becoming a part of marcom blog. Any andvice you can throw our way would be much appreciated. Marcom blog has been a great way to get to know various professionals and hear what they have to say.
It is always useful to hear about what to expect upon graduating. As students it is encouraging to have PR professionals, like yourself, care enough to reach out to students as a mentor. Thank you!
11/15/2007 at 11:31 pm
Rachel
Mr. Jennings,
We really appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to mentor us. Welcome to Marcomblog! It is really exciting to know that this blog provides me and my fellow classmates the opportunity to talk to some of the most successful pr practitioners in the industry. The most valuable lessons I have learned this semester have been those “real life scenarios” that have been shared with me by my mentors. Thanks for your contributions and I look forward to learning more from you through Marcomblog!