Iconic Marriott Hotels & Resorts Brand Chooses Grey As Its New Advertising Agency of Record

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its campaign to reimagine hospitality, Marriott Hotels & Resorts (MHR), the signature brand of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), today announced it has chosen Grey New York as its lead creative agency of record.  Grey is expected to officially begin working for the brand next month, pending a signed contract.

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"We were challenged and inspired by the Grey team and the quality of its Gen Y insights," said Susan Thronson, senior vice president, global marketing, Marriott International.  "Our decision was based on Grey's ability to engage consumers throughout their brand journey – regardless of the channel used or the location of the traveler.

"The other finalists, JWT and incumbent mcgarrybowen, demonstrated that we had selected the best of the best agencies," added Thronson.  "As a founding client, we're grateful to mcgarrybowen for nine years of work on MHR and look forward to its future efforts on Marriott Rewards, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites."

"The iconic Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand is reimagining hospitality and the guest experience. Grey will help us tell the story as we embark on new global innovations that are holistic, strategic, relevant and executed with purpose," said Paul Cahill, senior vice president, brand management, Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

"Marriott is one of those brands that everyone in our building wants to work on," said Grey New York President and CCO Tor Myhren. "Their iconic stature and rich heritage speaks for itself. But what energizes us most is their courage to change, innovate and challenge the status quo despite already being leaders in their industry. We can't wait to get started."

Marriott Hotels & Resorts has been reimagining the guest experience and transforming its lobbies and public spaces for a new generation of business travelers who blend work and play, demand style and substance, and desire high tech and high touch. Working with its partners IDEO and Steelcase, Marriott is introducing new concepts, such as purpose-built spaces for smaller collaborative meetings that are specifically designed for the way Gen X and Gen Y work.  As the industry leader in hosting meetings of all sizes, Marriott is also testing innovative technologies, such as applications for booking meetings on demand, that will further differentiate the customer experience at its hotels.

Marriott's agency relationships with MEC, Anomaly, Team One and other creative and specialized agencies throughout its global operations were not affected in this review.

Marriott International retained the services of Joanne Davis Consulting, Inc., New York, NY, to assist in the agency review process.

About Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to inspire and provide a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com.

About Grey

Grey New York is the flagship and largest office of Grey, the advertising network of Grey Group.  Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies.  Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY).  Under the banner of Grey Famously Effective Since 1917, the agency serves a blue-chip client roster of many of the world's best known companies:  Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Diageo, Darden Restaurants, Pfizer, Canon, 3M, E Trade, NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim and T.J. Maxx.  FAST COMPANY named Grey in its "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies" issue in 2010 and 2011.  (www.grey.com) 

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.