TALLAHASSEE, Fla., 2013-02-21 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today (February 19, 2013), VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – announced the hiring of Paul Phipps as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Phipps has 37 years of experience in sales, marketing, promotions and management having served in such high-profile positions as General Manager for Seminole IMG Sports Marketing/Assistant Athletic Director Florida State University, Chief Marketing Officer for International Speedway Corporation and Executive Vice President for Major League Soccer.
“Paul’s track record of success in building world-class marketing teams focused on connecting with passionate consumers and creating marketing programs that create value for partners is the perfect fit for VISIT FLORIDA as we pursue our vision of establishing Florida as the No. 1 travel destination in the world,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.
VISIT FLORIDA’s Chief Marketing Officer is responsible for directing the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic marketing plan, as well as its programs in support of industry Partners and the Florida tourism brand. As a key member of the executive leadership team, Phipps will oversee all global marketing functions, including public relations, promotions, creative services, advertising, internet and direct marketing, research, content, meetings and events, industry relations and sales.
“While the tourism industry is already the leading economic driver for the state and has had back-to-back years of record visitation, I still see significant opportunities for growth,” said Paul Phipps. “I’m excited to bring the relationships and lessons learned throughout my career to help VISIT FLORIDA and their Partners become even more successful.”
Rounding out VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing team is the recent hiring of Susan James to the new position of Marketing Director. James has more than 25 years of experience in the corporate and agency fields – more than ten of those specific to the Florida market. She comes to VISIT FLORIDA from the Florida Prepaid College Board, where she served as the Director of External Affairs, marketing the prepaid college plan to families in the state. Prior to this post, she held national and regional senior positions with Washington Mutual in Florida and Washington.
As the Sunshine State’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming 87.3 million visitors in 2011 who spent $67.2 billion, generating 23 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue and employing more than 1 million Floridians. For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – generates more than $258 in tourism spending and $15 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership, VISIT FLORIDA serves nearly 12,000 tourism industry businesses, including 2,700 invested Partners, 8,900 web affiliates and major strategic alliance partnerships with Disney Destinations, Dollar Rent A Car, The Hertz Corporation, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, please go to www.VISITFLORIDA.com, www.VISITFLORIDA.org or follow our corporate blog at www.SunshineMatters.org.