By Greg Hazley
The Society of American Travel Writers has hired the D.C. firm of a former Burson-Marsteller director for a two-year PR pact, following an RFP.
The 1,200-member group hired Praecere PR to build membership, offer experts to media, and to promote the organization under a new brand, “Travel’s Most Trusted Voices.”
Praecere is the firm of Babak Kafarnia, an attorney and former director in Burson’s crisis and issues unit and a director in Levick Strategic Communications’ international practice, which had him advising the government of Dubai, among other clients.
In a statement, SATW noted that vacation bookings are up, airline revenues are rising, and media continue to follow traveler security issues, keeping travel and tourism at the forefront of news.
Praecere will handle traditional and social media outreach, assist with an overhaul of the 55-year-old group’s website, and help recruit sponsors for its annual convention, which is slated for New Zealand in the fall.
As previously reported by this website, the SATW issued an RFP in July and finalized the decision at a board meeting in San Diego last week.
Previously, PR for the group was handled on a volunteer basis by PR-sector members.
The contract runs for two years with two options.
Praecere has previously handled the Internatonal League of Conservation Photographers and IT/security company Dependable Global Solutions.
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