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Marriott Rewards Appoints Watson, Phillips & Norman in New UK DM Campaign

Marriott Rewards, voted 'The Best Hotel Rewards Programme in the World' for six years running by the readers of “Business Traveler” magazine, has appointed new DM agency Watson Phillips & Norman to handle a new DM campaign that promotes the many benefits UK travellers receive with free programme membership.

Marriott is one of the leading hotel networks in the world. In the UK, Whitbread plc is the master franchisee. The Marriott Rewards programme is international in scale with some 18,000,000 members. Points earned during stays at more than 2,300 hotels worldwide are redeemable not only against hotel room rates, but also against Air Miles, Hertz car rentals, merchandise from retailers such as Marks & Spencer and Selfridges, numerous entertainment awards, and nearly 300 award options. Or if preferable, members may choose to earn frequent flyer miles with top airlines such as British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with a brand like Marriott” said Planning Partner Tod Norman of Watson Phillips Norman. “Marriott Rewards offers distinct benefits to the business traveller, and we believe we can utilise our combination of brand planning and DM skills effectively to illustrate the tremendous benefits programme membership provides.”

Holly Mendelson, Director of International Programmes for Marriott Rewards, said: “We're looking forward to working with Watson Phillips Norman on this project. The international travel market is more demanding than ever, and we were looking for an agency that combines traditional brand planning skills with hard-nosed, number-oriented DM, and we think that with WPN we have found that combination.”

Marketing efforts are likely to involve a wide range of media and activity will commence in the next few weeks.

Notes for editors

In May 1997, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) introduced Marriott Rewards. Today, with 2,300 participating hotels and 18 million members, Marriott Rewards is the largest multi-brand frequent guest program in the world. Marriott Rewards offers members the choice of earning/redeeming points or earning frequent flyer mileage at ten distinct lodging brands: Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Conference Centers, Marriott Vacation Club International, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott and TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Points may also be earned at Marriott ExecuStay and Marriott Executive Apartments and redeemed at participating Ritz-Carlton hotels. For the past six years, Marriott Rewards has been voted "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World" by readers of Business Traveler magazine. Marriott Rewards may be found online at marriottrewards.com

For more information on this story contact

Tod Norman, WPN,
020 7307 6160

Teri Merritt, Marriott
on 0207 591 1117