EXCLUSIVE: Cruise expert Edie Rodriguez joins PONANT as Americas Brand Chairman & Corporate Special Advisor

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PONANT, the only French-owned cruise line and the world leader in luxury expeditions, welcomes Luxury Cruise Industry Expert Edie Rodriguez as its new Americas Brand Chairman and Corporate Special Advisor.

Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of PONANT and Navin Sawhney, CEO of PONANT Americas are pleased to announce that Edie Rodriguez is joining the PONANT team. Edie Rodriguez, former CEO and President of Crystal, will be responsible for increasing PONANT's brand awareness in the Americas, especially with professional networks including travel agencies, media, influencers, and prospective passengers. With her more than 30 years of experience in the cruise industry, she will act as a Corporate Advisor for the company.

Navin Sawhney, CEO of PONANT Americas said: "For the last several years now, PONANT has been building a solid strategy for the American market and has the means to achieve its objectives. Given our strong ambitions and the real potential of this market, I am happy to see our team strengthened by the arrival of Edie Rodriguez"

Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of PONANT said: "With two great seasoned Cruise Industry Experts like Navin and Edie in our team, I'm convinced that PONANT in the USA will achieve its full capability in terms of market share. PONANT should not only be known as a French luxury expedition cruise line, but for what we really are: The World Leader in Luxury Expeditions and the Best Cultural International Cruise line with that special French touch!"

Edie Rodriguez: "I have known PONANT for the last 10 years as they have led the global expedition cruise industry expansion and I have always thought that their ships are perfectly appointed to deliver an unmatched cruise experience. I am proud to help the PONANT brand achieve recognition and realize its ambitions for growth in USA and the Americas at the level it deserves. As well, the passion of PONANT's founder, coupled with the strength in the global Luxury marketplace of their ownership ensures the brand's success going forward."

In her role as the new PONANT Americas Brand Chairman and Corporate Special Advisor, Edie Rodriguez has been hired to represent PONANT Americas and help to increase brand awareness and sales growth, as well as working with PONANT's corporate headquarter teams on several new projects. Navin Sawhney, as CEO of PONANT Americas, is responsible for company P&L, strategy definition and implementation.

ABOUT PONANT
The only French-owned cruise line and the world leader in luxury expeditions, PONANT was created in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers of the French Merchant Navy. Today, PONANT is leading the way with a new style of luxury cruising through a unique conception of sea travel which combines exceptional itineraries and luxury hotel services, aboard luxurious smaller-scale ships. www.ponant.com

PRESS CONTACT
Lauren Wintemberg | Alice Marshall Public Relations | 212 861 4031 | [email protected]

SOURCE PONANT