BeautifulPlaces Tabs Hospitality Industry Veterans
Winnick, Martin to Direct PR, Internet Strategy

02 June 2006 -- BeautifulPlaces has named two hospitality industry veterans to spearhead its public relations and Internet strategy/technology efforts.

Arlene Winnick, a veteran Beverly Hills, Calif.-based hospitality industry public relations professional, is now representing the company in its outreach to travel industry and consumer media.

Christian Martin, BP’s new Director, Internet Strategy & Technology, has an extensive e-commerce, web site development and travel industry background. He is guiding the development of the company’s next-generation website and e-commerce platform.

“We’ve selected two pros who can help us powerfully position what’s unique about this company’s,” says Patrick Smith, BeautifulPlaces’ founder and CEO. “Arlene is a quick study who immediately got the our concept. “She has an amazing grasp of the needs and concerns of the travel media and how we can relate with them. Arlene’s the best person we can think of to communicate the excitement about our growth and recent affiliations with such industry powerhouses as Virtuoso and Andrew Harper Travel.”

Smith says the addition of Martin to BP’s management team “recognizes the importance of the fact that we are a web-based enterprise. Christian’s background and skills are an excellent match for us and will enable us to accelerate the deployment of our e-commerce strategy.”

Winnick has worked in innovative product marketing, public relations and promotion for more than 30 years. She has created and launched toys; developed plush and video sets for Benji; helped design upscale resorts; marketed top-selling books and authors; lectured on consumer awareness; and marketed luxury hotels (she won the California Tourism Marketing Excellence Award). Among her current clients are Johnny Walker/Diageo, Le Meridien Beverly Hills, Raffles L’Ermitage, and the five-star Mexican resort, Pueblo Bonito Punta Mita.

Martin most recently was Senior eStrategies Manager for Contiki Holidays, the largest tour operator globally for the 18-35-year-old travel market segment. Prior to that, he served as Head of Internet Strategy for Eurostar, the company that provides the high-speed passenger rail service between England and France through the channel tunnel.