The power and reliability of Ram Trucks speaks for itself… usually. Sometimes an auto show spokesmodel steps in, like Katie Williams is doing this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. After extolling the virtues of the Ram 1500 (video below), Williams was kind enough to tell RamZone a bit about herself and her field of work.
RamZone: First, tell us about yourself. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What do you do in your spare time?
Katie: I’m originally from southern Illinois, and I graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a degree in marketing. I live in Chicago now. I like to be active and to be outdoors as much as possible. I run a lot and I’m a big swimmer. I just recently started doing races. I’m also taking acting classes this year – I want to start doing on-camera work.
RamZone: How does one become an auto show spokesmodel? What path did you take to get here?
Katie: After College, I worked as a retail manager for two years, and I decided it was time for a change, so I started doing promotional work. I met other models and made contacts with agencies and with Chrysler. I started working on Dodge originally, but I work almost exclusively with Ram Trucks now. Growing up I was always interested in modeling, but I never thought of myself as a model. I’m more comfortable with “spokesmodel” or “narrator.”
RamZone: Could you give us an overview of the job? What exactly do you do?
Katie: For Ram Trucks, there’s training at Chrysler headquarters on product knowledge, and we do pretty extensive online training as well. Usually no less than a week before a show we learn a script for our vehicles. At the show our job is to narrate the script about four times an hour. We answer questions about the trucks, pose for pictures, smile, and help people have a positive experience.
RamZone: What’s your favorite part of working as a spokesmodel?
Katie: I like the travel. I like to see new places, and this job gives me the opportunity to do that. I’ve recently been to Rhode Island, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago, and now Detroit. As narrators we split our days so I have time to sightsee. Some of the other girls and I are going to do a coney dog taste test this week, and I’m trying to convince some of the girls from California and Florida to join me for ice skating.
RamZone: When you’re out in a group, do people recognize you as auto show spokesmodels?
Katie: We hang out with other spokesmodels from our shift – go out to dinner, run errands. When a group of tall women are walking around town during an auto show event people will stop you and ask. The other day I got stopped at a pita restaurant.
RamZone: What might we be surprised to find out about your job?
Katie: Let’s see – Depending on the event we have makeup and hair artists come in two and a half hours before opening, as early as 5:30 a.m. on press days. The outfits are all predetermined, but we have them tailored. You might not think so, but most people are really respectful about what we do. As a spokesmodel you’re ON all the time.
RamZone: Finally, what is your favorite Ram Truck?
Katie: For trucks, bigger is better. I like the 3500 Laramie Longhorn. I like the western styling.
RamZone: Thank you, Katie; it’s been a pleasure. We’ll let the expert do her job and take us away with a Ram 1500 walkaround.
