The Driskill in Austin, TX Announces New Marketing Appointments
AUSTIN, TEXAS - AUGUST 16, 2012 - The Driskill, the legendary historic hotel in downtown Austin, announces the addition of two appointments within the 125-year-old property's marketing departments, with Laura Pettitt in the position of Director of Public Relations and Marketing Communications, and Laura Heathcott as Director of Social Media & Reputation Management.
In these roles, Ms. Pettitt will be responsible for media relations, advertising and community involvement, while Ms. Heathcott will manage the property's social media presence as well as guest response forums and interactions.
Ms. Pettitt brings ten years of experience in both hospitality industry and in public relations to the position. With past roles at public relations firms in both New York and Los Angeles, she has specialized in representing hospitality and travel brands with past clients including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts - Europe and Asia-Pacific, Qantas Airways, Orient-Express Hotels & Resorts, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, the Barbados Tourism Authority, Auberge Resorts and many others. She has also held in-house positions at Seattle's Edgewater Hotel, and the Fairmont Olympic, Seattle, and is a graduate of the University of Washington.
A graduate of Texas A&M, Ms. Heathcott's background includes marketing experience in the Los Angeles fashion market, with BCBG Max Azria; experience in the European tourism market, serving as a tour operator for Paris-based Fat Tire Bike Tours; and in the food & beverage industry, in a marketing role for Austin-based Spoons Yogurt. An avid writer, she has also been a founding columnist in Austin for the popular “Ask Miss A” website.
Of the additions, Vice President and Managing Director John Spomer remarks “We're thrilled to have Ms. Pettitt and Ms. Heathcott as the newest additions to our legendary team here at The Driskill. With their enthusiasm for Austin, along with combining hospitality, marketing and public relations experience in major markets, we have a great new marketing presence here at The Driskill.”
The Driskill's storied past as one of Austin's most beloved destinations makes it a true landmark in Texas hospitality, and an upstanding contributor to the local community. With 125 years of history, the hotel has long been a magnet for special occasions - President Lyndon B. Johnson chose The Driskill as the destination for his first date with the future First Lady, and today, the property is a central hub of activity from city-wide events from South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits to cooling down with breezy summer cocktails at The Driskill Grill.
About The Driskill:
Located in downtown Austin, The Driskill is a legendary property originally built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill. Offering an authentic sense of turn-of-the-century grandeur and uniquely Texan luxury, The Driskill has been restored with great care to its original opulence, from the magnificent columned lobby, replete with a vintage stained-glass dome, to the classic decor of the 189 guestrooms, suites and 18,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The Driskill is within walking distance to a majority of the city's 200+ music venues, including Austin's world-famous 6th Street scene, and offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, including The Driskill Grill, a AAA Four-Diamond establishment featuring the farm-to-table cuisine of Chef Jonathan Gelman, The Driskill Bar, with live music six nights a week, and 1886 Cafe and Bakery, known for sumptuous cakes as well as Texas comfort cuisine. www.driskillhotel.com
About Destination Hotels & Resorts:
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With nearly 40 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company's portfolio features more than 9,100 guest rooms, 18 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Aspen, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, Denver and San Diego. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises and the Lowe Hospitality Group.
For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Pettitt
Director of PR & Marketing Communications
The Driskill
T: 512.391.7159
E: [email protected]
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