When you have $5 million and a clean slate, what type of website would you build? And, what process would you undertake to deliver the ultimate Internet experience? These were some of the questions that I asked Robert Simon, Director of Web Development for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, following the launch of their revolutionary new site. Implemented jus...
With the planning season approaching, the hunt for new strategic initiatives is in full swing; ways to better revenue and market position undoubtedly at the top of the list. Taking stock from a few of my clients, here are five tenets that have proven successful, and may be applicable to your own programs. 1. Embrace Your Local Constituency Built on a...
I remember my first ad agency assignment in hospitality, some 30 years ago, to design and produce a ‘rack brochure' for the Inn on the Park Hotel in Toronto. At the time, the project was considered the quintessential component of their marketing plan, requiring both significant design effort and budget given the substantial print runs. The advent of the Int...
The grass truly is greener on the other side. LMA is proud to announce the launch of a new website for Diamond Head Sprinklers Inc., a leader in landscape lighting and irrigation systems. Diamond Head Sprinklers Inc. offers cutting edge products and provides additional services such as trenching, pet fencing, fertigation, and outdoor services. The new sit...
Today marks LMA's official 21st anniversary as an advertising and marketing agency. "That's a long, long time!" Larry exclaimed after the fact settled fully in. To celebrate, we all had a small sushi, cupcake and wine luncheon at the office. No one could be dared to eat a whole pile of wasabi in one gulp though. Also of note, because we are now 21, our...
This fall, LMA arranged a 'Pampered Boot Camp' press trip to Grenada, 'the Spice of the Caribbean.' The Editor-in-Chief of the luxury publication West of the City (distributed within Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Mississauga) spent five days in Grenada, describing it as one of the Caribbean's 'hidden gems.' She indulged in mouth-watering Grenadian cuisi...
Travelmole announced their winners today for best websites in a variety of categories for all Caribbean countries. The site for Grenada and the Grenadines, which we designed in conjunction with Orlando Romain (the Grenada Board of Tourism's manager of web communications), won the top prize for the Tourism Board category. Congratulations to Grenada and e...
January 2012 has already been marked by the launch of what has been touted as the panacea for our industry - a rebuttal to the online travel agency onslaught that has so dramatically shifted the hospitality power structure. I am referring of course to Room Key, the new (supposed) OTA managed by the hotels. My initial thoughts on www.roomkey.com (still cons...
You see them on sites like Jetsetters, Living Social Escapes, Hotel Tonight, Groupon and several others: “Deluxe Vacation in Paradise, Regularly $2,000, Book Now for Only $1,000, Save 50%.” The promotional text is crisp; the offers relatively straightforward. The question is, should you as a hotelier participate in these programs? And importantly, what role...
Do you really need a beach? That was the first question I asked Russ Fielden, owner and operator of True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada while on a recent visit. In the past 14 years, Russ, along with his wife Magdalena, have proven that a successful Caribbean resort need not have the classic sand beach centerpiece to be successful, provided that the team treats...
