BERRA NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER FOR CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
MIAMI (November 7, 2008) – Jim Berra, a highly accomplished marketing professional with proven expertise in the areas of customer marketing, brand development and digital, has been named senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator.
In this newly created position, Berra will oversee all of the company’s advertising programs, marketing communications and public relations He will also oversee all digital efforts, including the audience and site development for Carnival.com.
Berra, 37, will join Carnival on Nov. 10 and will report to Ruben Rodriguez, the company’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.
Prior to joining Carnival, Berra spent the past three years at Rodale, Inc., most recently as senior vice president and general manager for Rodale Interactive, where he led the development and marketing of the company’s online businesses. Rodale is a global media company publishing some of the best-known health and wellness lifestyle magazines including Men’s Health, Prevention, Women’s Health and books such as New York Times bestseller An Inconvenient Truth by former Vice President Al Gore.
Prior to that, he was at Starwood Hotels & Resorts for seven years holding various managerial marketing posts, including senior vice president of customer marketing and strategic alliances where he oversaw Starwood’s customer relationship management, loyalty programs, and strategic alliances. Berra started his career at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts serving in a variety of marketing positions.
“Jim brings wide-ranging experience in all facets of marketing and advertising. His expertise in loyalty programs, direct marketing and digital marketing in particular will be a tremendous asset to our company as we continue to build the Carnival brand,” Rodriguez said. “Carnival has many exciting events and developments taking place over the next few months and Jim’s creative and proven brand-building strategies will be of great benefit to these efforts,” he added.
Berra has won numerous marketing awards and accolades over the years, including being named one of Travel Agent Magazine’s Rising Stars, as well as a Top 25 Marketer by HSMAI. He has also received the Industry Impact Award by Inside Flyer Magazine, and was included in Brand Week’s list of Next Generation Marketers.
Berra holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and philosophy from Northwestern University.
Carnival is the world’s largest and most popular cruise line with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line currently has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.
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Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.