MMG Mardiks News

An Update from the Adrians

2010-02-25T00:00:00

On February 1, the travel industry gathered in New York to celebrate the best in tourism marketing at the 2009 HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala. Spirits were high as all raised a [well-deserved] glass of bubbly to celebrate significant accomplishments during an unprecedented, challenging and unpredictable year.

Sarasota and Her Islands in Family Circle

2010-02-01T00:00:00

Siesta Key, located off of Sarasota, is featured in the February issue of Family Circle.

Click here to read the full placement.

Sarasota and Her Islands in the Baltimore Sun

2010-01-24T00:00:00

In 2010, the Baltimore Orioles moved their spring training facilities to Sarasota. This placement in the Baltimore Sun highlights all there is to do in Sarasota in addition to baseball.

Click here to read the full article.

MMG Mardiks Partners with Clean the World to Help with Haiti Quake Victims

2010-01-20T00:00:00

This holiday season MMG Mardiks donated to Clean the World Organization, which was the beginning of what will be a great partnership.

Clean the World is dedicated to preventing millions of deaths caused by acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease by collecting, recycling and distributing soap and shampoo products that are discarded by hotels every day. With the unfortunate tragedy in Haiti, Clean the World is partnering with Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (Care) to deliver supplies to the desperate island country. In addition, they are also organizing rescue missions to leave the country with transportation provided by Care. To learn more about CTW's Haiti Relief effort, visit their blog.

Let There Be Snow- Three People Chosen to Experience Snow for the First Time in Colorado

2010-01-08T00:00:00

The Colorado Tourism Office's (CTO) "Snow at First Sight" campaign, which began on October 12 with a global search for three people who have never experienced snow before, has concluded with the selection of three winners. Hailing from Atlanta, Australia and Hawaii, the three finalists are set to begin their Colorado adventure on January 11, 2010, where they will blog on www.SnowAtFirstSight.com about their experiences and post regular updates on social networks including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

Pueblo, Colorado Featured in The New York Post

2009-12-08T00:00:00

The New York Post ran a story on Pueblo, Colorado entitled "Before there was apres-ski and people in fleeces, there was Pueblo." To read the full story, click here.

Travel Guard Seeks the "Worlds Unluckiest Traveler"

2009-12-02T00:00:00

Vacationers who share or vote for memorable travel mishaps can win $10,000 dream vacation

Have you ever booked an idyllic beachfront vacation, only to wind up trapped in an undiscovered quicksand pit? Wrecked your rental car after a rogue pelican leaves a sudden “deposit” on the windshield? Had a rickshaw excursion halted abruptly after the driver suddenly contracts athlete’s foot? Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com), the nation’s leading provider of travel insurance and assistance service plans, wants to hear your story!

Margherita Missoni Interviewed in Conde Nast Traveler

2009-12-01T00:00:00

In this month's issue of Conde Nast Traveler, Margherita Missoni speaks about her plans for gift giving, traveling in the New Year and more. Read the full interview here.

Social Media Contests Featured in USA Today

2009-11-27T00:00:00

USA Today's Travel section featured both Colorado Tourism Office and Travel Guard's social media contests.

Colorado Tourism Office's "Snow At First Sight" is giving away an all expenses paid winter adventure in Colorado to three lucky contestants who have never seen snow. To learn more about the contest and enter to win visit Snow At First Sight.

Click here to read the full article.

MMG Mardiks Featured in PR Week

2009-11-02T00:00:00

MMG Mardiks' client, Hotel Missoni, is featured in PR Week as a CriticalHit.

Read the full interview here. Read the W Magazine placement here.

Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul in Travel + Leisure

2009-10-30T00:00:00

Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul is featured in the November issue of Travel + Leisure's "Top T+L Exclusives" section. Click here to see the full deal.

Snow At First Sight Social Media Campaign

2009-10-23T00:00:00

MMG Mardiks launched Colorado's first ever social media campaign and contest, "Snow at First Sight" (www.SnowAtFirstSight.com), on October 12. The agency, on behalf of the Colorado Tourism Office, began a global search for three people who have never seen snow. Those three winners will spend three months in Colorado experiencing the state's legendary winter season and everything it has to offer.

From last week's New York Times OP-ED piece by Christopher Kimball, publisher of Cooks Illustrated

2009-10-14T00:00:00

"The shuttering of Gourmet reminds us that in a click-or-die advertising marketplace, one ruled by a million instant pundits, where an anonymous Twitter comment might be seen to pack more resonance and useful content than an article that reflects a lifetime of experience, experts are not created from the top down but from the bottom up." Click here to read more.

Report from Chuck Mardiks attending The Society of American Travel Writers' (SATW) Convention

2009-10-13T00:00:00

Heard at the Changing Media Trends session:

"In the new media landscape, travel companies must embrace the notion of no longer controling the message. They must embrace experimentation and host the party with their consumers," Wendy Perrin, Consumer News Editor and Chief Tweeter, Condé Nast Traveler.

In Colorado, A Global Search Begins to FInd Three People Who Have Never Seen Snow

2009-10-12T00:00:00

Colorado Tourism Office launches www.SnowAtFirstSight.com to Introduce Three Lucky People to Colorado's Legendary Winter Season

Colorado, home to 26 unique ski resort areas, 54 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet and more than 300 inches of snow per year, announces the launch of its Snow at First Sight campaign (www.SnowatFirstSight.com). The campaign will utilize social media to grow the winter vacation market and reveal the state’s legendary winter offerings through fresh eyes.

Radisson Blu in The Washington Post

2009-10-11T00:00:00

Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts is featured in the Travel section of The Washington Post as one of the week's best travel bargains around the globe. Click here to see the full placement.

People Are Starting to Travel Again

2009-10-06T00:00:00

By: Chuck Mardiks, Managing Director, MMG Mardiks

This from a recent article in The Wall Street Journal.

Travel and tourism spending dropped at a 1.4% annual rate in the second quarter of 2009 from the first quarter, following an 8.9% decline in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Ringling International Arts Festival in Wall Street Journal

2009-10-02T00:00:00

The Ringling International Arts Festival, running from Oct. 7-Oct. 11 in Sarasota, FL, is featured in the Wall Street Journal's Datebook.

Click here to read the full placement.

The May Fair hotel on LATimes.com

2009-09-29T00:00:00

The May Fair hotel is featured on the Los Angeles Times travel deals page on September 29, 2009. The article is entitled "London's plush May Fair hotel 25% off, plus 2-for-1 meals, during winter holidays."

Click here to read the full placement.

Condé Nast Traveler's World Savers Congress

2009-09-23T00:00:00

By: Chuck Mardiks, Managing Director, MMG Mardiks

This Monday, I was fortunate to attend Condé Nast Traveler's World Savers Congress here in NYC, a gathering of travel industry and non-profit leaders dedicated to sharing ideas on improving the well-being of communities worldwide.

Colorado Tourism Office Wins Prestigious Travel Industry Award for its “Let’s Talk the Many Seasons of Colorado” Public Relations Campaign

2009-09-16T00:00:00

The U.S. Travel Association has honored the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) with a 2009 Mercury Award for excellence in public and media relations for its “Let’s Talk the Many Seasons of Colorado” public relations campaign.

London's Bloomsbury Street Hotel Launches Book of the Month Club

2009-09-14T00:00:00

Guests Can Enjoy Books at the Hotel or Take Home a Complimentary Copy

September Book of the Month is “Tales of Hans Christian Andersen”

The Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel (www.radissonedwardian.com), located in London’s literary quarter, takes a page from Oprah Winfrey’s book and launches its very own Book of the Month club.

Hotel Missoni in W Magazine

2009-09-10T00:00:00

Hotel Missoni is featured in the coveted September issue of W magazine. The article is entitled: “Northern Lights: Rosita Missoni injects some Italian flair into her family’s new hotel in Scotland.”

Click here to read the full placement.

Radisson Blu in Elle Decor

2009-09-03T00:00:00

ELLE Decor picks Paris newcomer Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan among top global openings in its September 2009 issue.

Click here to read the full placement.

Hotel Missoni in Food & Wine

2009-09-01T00:00:00

Hotel Missoni is featured in a 4-page article in the September 2009 issue of Food & Wine.

Click here to read the full article, "At Mama Missoni's Italian Table."

Rezidor Announces the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Moscow

2009-08-19T00:00:00

Extensive Renovation to Historic Hotel Ukraina to Open December 2009

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the Brussels-based hotel management company, announces the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Moscow. A famed city landmark, the former Hotel Ukraina is currently under extensive renovation and scheduled to open December 2009.

Mardiks Featured in O'Dwyer's PR Report

2009-07-08T00:00:00

Managing Director, Chuck Mardiks is a featured guest columnist in the July Travel and Tourism issue of O’Dwyer’s PR Report, a leading publication for PR and marketing communications professionals. Click here to read Chuck’s column: Cutting Through the Digital Travel Campaign Noise.

Rezidor Announces the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, Croatia

2009-07-07T00:00:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the Brussels-based hotel management company, announces the opening of the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Dubrovnik Sun Gardens. Located 11 miles from the Dubrovnik International Airport and part of the expansive Sun Gardens resort community, the Radisson Blu is the largest resort on Croatia’s picturesque Dalmatian coast.

Travel Guard Officially Opens New World Headquarters Today in Stevens Point

2009-07-01T00:00:00

Just over a year after breaking ground, Travel Guard’s new world headquarters officially opened today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the company’s new four-story, 127,600 square-foot facility that incorporates many environmentally friendly elements and an infrastructure on the cutting edge of technology. These elements will allow the building to receive “LEED®” certification, a voluntary, national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings that improve air and water quality, reduce solid waste, and improve occupants’ and society’s well-being.

London Calling - The May Fair & 12 Radisson Edwardian Hotels Extend Special "10 for 9" Meetings Offer Through April 2010

2009-06-22T00:00:00

With the British Pound offering nearly 20 percent savings compared to last year at this time, London has become a hot destination for meetings. The May Fair and 12 Radisson Edwardian Hotels, in London and Manchester, add to the savings with a special “10 for 9” promotion (http://www.radissonedwardian.com/10for9/). Companies that book their meeting, event or incentive trip by December 31, 2009 and hold the event before April 19, 2010 will only pay for nine out of ten of their attendees.

Day Trips Propel Colorado to 50.6 Million Total Visitors in 2008, an Increase in Overall Visitation according to Longwoods International

2009-06-18T00:00:00

Colorado welcomed a total of 50.6 million domestic visitors in 2008, a two percent increase over total visitation in 2007 according to The Colorado Travel Year Study 2008, a profile of Colorado’s visitors by research firm Longwoods International. The 2008 visitation number includes 27.4 million overnight domestic visitors, the second-largest total number of overnight visitors to the state since 1992. Colorado also had 23.2 million day trips, an increase of eight percent over the number of day trips taken in 2007 (21.5 million trips).

Hotel Missoni Announces Two New Hotels Planned for South Africa & Oman

2009-06-12T00:00:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the Brussels-based hospitality management company, is pleased to announce the latest developments from Hotel Missoni, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand developed in partnership with the iconic Italian fashion and interiors house. Hotel Missoni Cape Town will debut in South Africa in 2010, followed by Hotel Missoni Jebel Sifah in Oman in 2012.

First Ever Hotel Missoni Opens in Edinburgh Today

2009-06-08T00:00:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the Brussels-based hospitality management company, is pleased to announce that the first property developed in collaboration with the renowned Italian luxury fashion dynasty, Missoni, opens today in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hotel Missoni Edinburgh combines the unique style of the iconic Italian fashion and interiors house with the expertise of The Rezidor Hotel Group, to offer a new luxury lifestyle brand that redefines the world of design and lifestyle hotels.

Colorado Tourism Office and Frontier Airlines Announce Partnership to Promote Summer Travel to Colorado

2009-06-04T00:00:00

The Colorado Tourism Office and Frontier Airlines, in an effort to promote summer travel to Colorado, have joined forces to launch two creative programs that will make taking a Colorado vacation more rewarding than ever.

Hurricane Season Update: NOAA Forecasts "Uncertain" 2009 Storm Season; Strong Chance of Major Hurricanes

2009-06-02T00:00:00

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Administration says current weather patterns are imposing “a greater uncertainty in the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season outlook” compared with past years, and the agency predicts a “70 percent chance” of one to three major hurricanes this season. As a result, Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com) is advising travelers planning vacations this summer and fall to protect their hard-earned travel budget by purchasing insurance coverage before a severe storm emerges.

Sarasota and Her Islands, Florida's Cultural Coast

2009-06-01T00:00:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the Brussels-based hotel management company, announces the opening of the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Cesme, Turkey. Located on the banks of the Aegean Sea on Turkey’s western coast, the 312-key property offers 42 spacious suites, two king suites and four duplex villas. All accommodations offer views of the Aegean Sea or landscaped gardens as well as complimentary high-speed internet access and LCD television.

Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront at Gateway Arch Offers $63 Rate to Celebrate $63 Million Renovation

2009-05-27T00:00:00

St. Louis’ newest premier hotel, the 910-room Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront (www.stlouisriverfront.hyatt.com ), is celebrating its $63 million renovation with a special grand opening rate of $63 on the first 63 rooms booked each night* now through Sept. 1, 2009. This low rate entices travelers to experience the new, contemporary Hyatt Regency, located at the Gateway Arch, and summer time in St. Louis.

London's May Fair Hotel Introduces Luxury for Less Packages with 15% Value-Added Savings

2009-05-27T00:00:00

With the dollar gaining in value against the British pound for the first time in 20 years, this is the year to visit London. For travelers looking not only for value, but also luxury experiences for less, the iconic May Fair hotel is offering a variety of packages for any fancy and with a value-added savings of 15 percent. Available now through December 30, 2009, London visitors can enjoy a shopper’s paradise package, a romantic hideaway or a relaxing spa getaway.

Siesta Key Ranked #2 Beach in the U.S. by "Dr.Beach" Stephen Leatherman

2009-05-27T00:00:00

Siesta Key beach has been named the number two beach in the U.S. for 2009 by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman. Located off of Florida Gulf’s Coast in Sarasota County, the sugar-white sand beach placed second to Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. Dr. Beach bases his selections on 50 criteria, including water and sand quality, safety and environmental management.

Barbados Tourism Retains MMG As Full-Service Agency

2009-05-20T00:00:00

Following a four-month competitive review, MMG Worldwide has been awarded a three-year advertising agency of record contract with The Barbados Tourism Authority. Several other agencies competed for the account, considered by many to be amongst the most prestigious in the travel industry. MMG Worldwide will service the account from the agency's offices in Kansas City, New York and Miami.

Rezidor Announces the Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan, Paris Eiffel

2009-05-19T00:00:00

The Rezidor Hotel Group (www.radissonblu.com), the Brussels-based hotel management company, announces the opening of the Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan, Paris Eiffel. This marks the second Radisson Blu boutique hotel to debut in Paris this year.

Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino Announces Premiere of The Aqua Spa

2009-05-05T00:00:00

The Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, the newest full-service, branded resort to open on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao in more than 15 years, officially announces the opening of the luxurious Aqua Spa facility.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide Signs 23 New Properties in the First Quarter of 2009

2009-04-23T00:00:00

Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced that it has signed franchise or management agreements for 23 new properties in the first quarter of 2009. The new hotels and resorts span 14 countries, including 10 Radisson and Radisson Blu properties; six Country Inns & Suites By Carlsonsm properties; and seven Park Inn locations. The company also announced 16 new hotel openings since the start of 2009, adding locations in Germany, France, India, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Brazil, the Czech Republic and the United States. Carlson’s worldwide portfolio currently totals 1,015 hotels with more than 151,000 rooms in 72 countries. Carlson hotel brands also include Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Regent Hotels & Resorts.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide Celebrates Earth Day with Environmental Initiatives

2009-04-21T00:00:00

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is recognizing Earth Day (April 22), the one-day, global celebration designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment, with a variety of programs and initiatives at its Radisson® Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM properties around the country. From local activities to company-wide initiatives, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites support Carlson Hotels’ commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible business.

The Regent Bordeaux in Town & Country

2009-04-01T00:00:00

The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux and Bordeaux itself are the subject of a 12-page feature in Town & Country's April 2009 Travel issue, "Vintage Bordeaux."

The Regent Esplanade Zagreb Honored With International Five-Star Diamond Award

2009-01-13T00:00:00

Regent Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year, the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences has awarded the International Five-Star Diamond Award to The Regent Esplanade Zagreb. Last year, the hotel became the first in Croatia to ever receive the prestigious award, and today The Regent Esplanade Zagreb remains the country’s only Five-Star Diamond property.