Infiniti: The Comeback Jean

ROLLE, SWITZERLAND – October 7, 2010: Every cloud has a silver lining. Or a purple one, given this news is coming from Infiniti. So although it is with much regret that the luxury automotive brand from Japan is announcing the departure of Lisa Barnard from the PR team, yes, after a mere four months in office, at the same time, Infiniti is pleased to announce her successor. In a few paragraphs time.

Lisa very quickly learnt to embrace purple, Infiniti’s accent colour chosen for its historic associations with royalty and luxury. She started to colour her wardrobe in purple hues although hadn’t yet got around to redecorating the downstairs loo in the same. Just as well because it soon became evident to Lisa that, in her case at least, the words part-time working mum were an oxymoron. Keeping tabs on an in demand press fleet and her demanding boys wasn’t easy – especially when she would get a call in the supermarket while juggling a shopping trolley, children, avocadoes … enquiring “when is the next availability for a FX50S?” “Erm, put that mango down, it’s not a football. Oh, Henry. Hello? Sorry, can you send me an email…”

Lisa wanted to reflect the level of service Infiniti gives its customers in the way she treated journalists. But it wasn’t happening. Something had to go. And beautiful though the Infinitis are, it’s the family Lisa has elected to keep. For which she deserves respect and to be once again left in peace. A relative term when you have three and five year old boys. Plus a third somewhat older.

To replace her, in the professional sense, Wayne Bruce has once again turned to his contacts book and brought back a much loved name from a former life. And from automotive PR history, too, because Infiniti’s new UK Communications Officer, like Lisa, had also been taking some time out from the industry. Time out that is now up.

Infiniti can confirm, wait for it, that the New Lisa is a she with more than 16 years PR experience gained at companies such as Citroën, SEAT and … the Forensic Science Service which should stand her in good stead for identifying the carnage usually littered around at the end of a media party. She is also Chairwoman of the Milton Keynes and North Bucks RSPCA so is used to dealing with strays.

Who is she? The clue’s in the headline… It’s Jean Kelly, of course, and she starts just in time for the introduction of the Infiniti M30d on October 18 from when you can reach her via any of the means listed below. Till then, Lisa will be working to ensure a smooth handover while Jean browses the aisles for purple clothing. And no doubt feeling relieved that Wayne isn’t making more unreasonable sartorial demands: the last time they worked together he, while dressed loosely as Batman, made her don an equally ill-fitting Robin suit and chase him around a dining room to the associated theme tune in front of an unusually quiet Northern Group… After that ignominy, it’s a wonder she agreed to come back. “Better the devil you know,” says Jean. And she isn’t just referring to Wayne.