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ANJALI MEHRA
Hospitality - Brand Marketing and Communication
8 Silver Oaks Avenue , DLF City Phase 1, Gurugram
Summary
A seasoned hospitality professional with nearly four decades of experience in brand marketing and communications. Worked across several renowned hospitality brands in diverse geographies and bring a global perspective with a profound understanding of the evolving luxury hospitality landscape and the expectations of the discerning global traveler. Proven track record of successful brand launches and brand repositioning in new, challenging, and highly competitive markets, underpinned by an in-depth knowledge of the media landscape, strong media relations and an understanding of consumer behaviour insights across various regions.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
40
40
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief Brand Officer and SVP Marketing
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
7 2020 - 6 2024
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive strategy to reinvigorate and strengthen the brand's positioning as an epitome of true Indian luxury.
- Elevated brand awareness by launching key initiatives forging strategic partnerships like Jaipur Literature Festival, India Art Fair and #PoloInThePInkCity.
- Collaborated with external agencies to deliver impactful advertising and PR campaigns that helped drive positive brand perception and topline
- Developed crisis management plans, and tools and resources to bring standardization on brand delivery and improve speed to market
- Built strong relationships with media partners to amplify positive brand narratives and coverage
- Spearheaded launch of strategic brand programmes resulting in increased brand recognition, elevated guest experience and positive consumer sentiment
- Created and launched several brand IPs including Tishya, The Leela's signature fragrance and new range of bath amenities, holistic wellness programme, Aujasya and Brand advocacy programme, Icons of India
- Crafted the ESG storytelling leveraging key collaborations including Phool to upcycle flowers used across hotels, an alliance with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation and Shefs at The Leela to promote equity in the kitchens
- Enhanced brand image, experience, and promise through global go-to-market strategies and collaborations with key media and strategic events
- Implemented an award and accolade strategy to further enhance and build brand advocacy. The Leela has consistently been voted amongst the top 3 World's Best Brands by Travel+Leisure USA in 2020,2021,2023 and 2024 and its Hotels have been recognized amongst the top hotels globally featuring in the best of the best lists including CondeNast Traveller Gold List, Readers Choice and Hot List.
- Coached and mentored talent fostering a high-performing team culture that delivered exceptional results.
- Created new visual assets and storytelling with fresh and new video and launched a new immersive brand website
Senior Director Communications
Marriott International
04.2017 - 06.2020
- Spearheaded corporate and brand communications for Marriott International, Middle East and Africa after the merger of Starwood Hotels with Marriott International
- Devised communications strategies for Loyalty and Partnerships including the launch of Marriott Bonvoy as the brand's new Loyalty programme post merger
- Helped differentiate and position Marriott International’s compelling portfolio across 268 hotels across 23 brands in the region, through creative storytelling, strategic brand communications and high impact executions
- Successfully launched new brands in new, emerging and some challenging markets and helped position hotels with market dominance
- Worked across some very volatile markets to manage crisis communications and reputation, navigating some extremely challenging geographies and situations
- Built Marriott's lead in luxury through high impact activations and creative storytelling leveraging #MILUX
Regional Director Communications
Starwood Hotels and Resorts
07.2015 - 03.2017
- Defined and executed the communication objectives and strategies for Starwood Hotels in Africa & Indian Ocean
- Developed relevant and impactful communications that addressed the needs of diverse stakeholders and helped build the company profile
- Aligned the story telling around Starwood's 10 compelling lifestyle brands, growth momentum, and lead in technology and loyalty.
- Prepared spokespeople, articulated the messaging to tell a compelling story to build the company profile
and establish thought leadership - Managed Crisis Communications to protect reputation
- Leveraged new hotel openings and key brand initiatives to devise high impact PR campaigns
- Mentored talent and conducted media and Crisis Communications and Media trainings
- Established strong partnerships with industry stakeholders, enhancing the company''s reputation and creating mutually beneficial collaborations.
Area Director Marketing and Communications
Starwood Hotels and Resorts
02.2010 - 07.2015
- Spearheaded the Marketing and Communications strategies for Starwood Hotels and its brands in South Asia, including India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan.
- Launched new brands into these very well established and highly competitive yet strategically important markets, leveraging media relationships and forging strategic partnerships with high impact brand marketing and communication executions.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Journalism and Mass Communications
Indira Gandhi National Open University
New Delhi 08.2000 - 04.2001
Bachelor of Education -
Annamalai University
Chennai 08.1988 - 04.1989
Master of Arts - English Literature
Hindu College, Delhi University
New Delhi 08.1985 - 04.1987
MBA - Marketing
Indian Institute of Computer Management
Ahemdabad 08.1985 - 04.1987
Advanced Diploma - French
Delhi University
New Delhi 08.1985 - 04.1987
Diploma - Travel & Tourism
Delhi University
New Delhi 08.1984 - 04.1985
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University
New Delhi 08.1982 - 04.1985
Skills
Accomplishments
- Recognized multiple times in the LuxeBook Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Luxury and the HotelierWeb Power List.
- Executive Board Member of Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) and a jury member for the MEPRA Awards 2017 -2020.
- Vice President for WICCI Council for Digital Marketing and PR 2022 - 2023.
Interests
Writing
Travelling
Trend watching
Experimental Instagrammer
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Professional Development
- Currently pursuing the Independent Directors course and advancing expertise in ESG and digital marketing.
- Adjunct Faculty Member at Indian School of Hospitality, sharing insights, knowledge, and learnings with the industry.
- Open to consulting assignments that continue to inspire and challenge.
Professional Development
- Currently pursuing the Independent Directors course and advancing expertise in ESG and digital marketing.
- Adjunct Faculty Member at Indian School of Hospitality, sharing insights, knowledge, and learnings with the industry.
- Open to consulting assignments that continue to inspire and challenge.
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