Localeur Doubles Team, Introduces New Advisory Board

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Localeur, a community of locals who share their favorite places to eat, drink and play with millennial travelers, today announced three new hires and a new class of Advisory Board members aimed at helping the company expand rapidly in 2017. After securing its first-ever equity financing in October 2016, as confirmed in the company's recent S.E.C. filing, Localeur intends to use the funds to increase its geographic footprint from 35-plus U.S. cities today to as many as 100 major cities around the world over the next year.

"With fundraising firmly behind us, my team has the resources to focus on our key business metrics including new city launches, user acquisition and launching more strategic partnerships," said Joah Spearman, CEO and founder of Localeur. "Specifically, we have made some very important hires to help us drive results across our product, community and revenue."

Localeur has hired Larry Luk as Director of Brand & Partnerships, a role Spearman says will enable Localeur to increase awareness with travelers and build off Localeur's successful partnerships with industry leaders such as JetBlue Airways and Tablet Hotels, the boutique hotel platform. Larry's background as a designer allows him to easily transition from illustration and writing to content generation, systems design and social outreach. Most recently, Larry served as the Marketing & Communications Lead and Senior Designer at @sonandsons agency in Atlanta. During that time, Larry developed design, voice and strategy for clients such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Duke Alumni Association, Ponce City Market and the Kyle Korver Foundation. Larry received his undergrad degree from Emory University and attended Portfolio Center where he studied and still teaches design on occasion.

Localeur also hired Matt Armendariz as Senior User Experience Designer, a role focused on enhancing Localeur's mobile and web products for travelers as it expands its national and global footprint. With sixteen years of practice and passion for designing meaningful user-centered, data-driven digital experiences, Matt has produced world-class products for brands such as BusinessWeek, ESPN, Evernote, HBO, HomeAway, MoMA, NatGeo Channel, NFL, Thomson Reuters, and many independent and start-up cultures. His design expertise ranges from websites to desktop applications to kiosks to iOS and Android applications.

Gary Williams joins Localeur as Visual Creative Director, where he will lead the production and execution of Localeur's video and photography operations. Gary is a renowned DC-based photographer and videographer specializing in developing authentic visual and digital content for some of the world's leading brands. His work has spanned clients such as Nike, Timex, Marriott, Saint Heron, BMW, GQ Magazine, Under Armour, NRG, LEVIS, GAP, and L'Oreal. He's also gained notoriety as an influential catalyst on style & culture as a GQ Insider and ambassador for various brand campaigns.

In addition to these strategic hires, Localeur also introduced its new Advisory Board consisting of millennial influencers, content creators and executives across the country in technology, media and entertainment.

• Alicia Mooty, project manager at a major animation film studio
• Autumn Merritt, co-owner and brand manager at Sir & Madame
• Brandon Perlman, founder and CEO at The Gramlist
• Brian Watson, senior product manager at VSCO; former analyst at Union Square Ventures
• Cristina Fisher, events and concerts manager at Space 24 Twenty; former special projects manager at South by Southwest
• Erin Duncan, social media strategist and content producer
• Georgina Castellucci, founder of Boston Content Strategy
• Joe McCann, co-founder and CEO at NodeSource; former mobile architect at Bazaarvoice
• Joshua Kissi, co-founder and creative director of Street Etiquette
• Rachael King, co-founder of Ellephant Partners; former head of communications at DogVacay
• Rashad Drakeford, director of content development at REVOLT Media & TV
• Samantha Kidd, Jr. photo art director at Tory Burch
• Sandeep Jain, co-founder of RigUp; former technical lead at Google Places
• Susan Morgan, VP of account management at Team Epiphany

"I've followed Joah's and Localeur's growth for several years, and I am excited to join the Advisory Board and offer insights in branding, content creation and community building to help Localeur expand globally," said Kissi, who has led creative and brand campaigns with Adidas, The GAP and the U.S. Open, among others.

To date, Localeur investors include Heather Brunner, CEO of WP Engine, Blake Chandlee, VP of Global Partnerships for Facebook, Brett Hurt, founder of Bazaarvoice, Steve Pamon, COO of the Beyonce-owned Parkwood Entertainment, and Walt Schoenvogel, a successful Texas businessman, among others. Localeur recently joined Capital Factory's Accelerator program, regarded as the best startup incubator in Austin.

"Localeur was conceived right here at Capital Factory and with their recent funding and traction are poised for global expansion in 2017," said Joshua Baer, executive director of Capital Factory. "This is the perfect time to accelerate their growth by giving them access to the biggest network of talent, mentors and investors in Austin."

Localeur was launched in Austin at South by Southwest 2013 by Spearman and Chase White, both former employees of user-generated-content company Bazaarvoice. In 2013, Localeur was named the best new startup by Austin Monthly and more recently has been named one of the top travel apps by "The Today Show", Forbes, TIME, BET, Black Enterprise, Examiner, MSN, MTV, Men's Journal, Business.com and others.

By focusing on securing recommendations from locals exclusively, Localeur has built a strong community with over one million millennial travelers spanning three dozen major U.S. cities. White has since left Localeur to become the CEO and founder of Loom, a marketplace for idea creators and developers. To date, Localeur has captured local recommendations on more than 10,000 of the best bars, restaurants, shops and places in major U.S. cities ranging from Austin and Boston to Los Angeles and New York City.

Localeur is a community of locals who share authentic recommendations on the best places to eat, drink and play with travelers who want to #experiencelocal. By curating opinions exclusively from locals on the best bars, restaurants, shops and more in over 35 major U.S. cities, Localeur has sourced 10,000+ high-quality recommendations from locals nationwide. To date, Localeur has served more than 1 million Millennial travelers and is a national partner for JetBlue Airways and Tablet Hotels, the world's best curator of boutique hotels. Localeur's apps have been called one of the best new travel apps by countless national and regional media outlets and named the Best New Startup in Austin in 2013. @Localeur

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