Russell Datz

Principal, RDPR Communication Strategies and Motor Press Guild Board of Directors

Russell Datz is an auto industry PR and communication veteran with a unique background crafting narratives around EVs and software-defined vehicles. He most recently led Media Relations and Corporate Communication at Volvo Car USA, where he helped the Swedish brand punch above its weight in its efforts to become a fully electric automaker. Prior to that, Datz led Communications at Fisker Automotive, supporting that company's raise of $1.4B and the launch of the Fisker Karma luxury plug-in hybrid in 2010. He even dabbled in quantum encryption technology developed by a death-metal-loving, triple PhD scientist at the DoD's Oak Ridge Laboratory. Earlier in his career Datz developed brand communication strategies to improve the perception of Consumer Reports' Cars franchise, launch the Lotus Elise and Exige in the US, and raise awareness for The Tire Rack, the country's largest online tire retailer. He began his professional career as a journalist with MotorWeek, television’s longest running and most respected automotive series, airing on PBS stations nationwide since 1981. Having spent plenty of time wrenching on cars where he bloodied plenty a knuckle and lost untold numbers of 10mm sockets, he appreciates the complex problems auto engineers are tasked with solving every day.