eMergent Marketing Chosen as Internet Marketing Agency for Marriott’s New Orleans Hotel Cluster

[Cleveland, OH and New Orleans, LA—July 25, 2006] Marriott’s New Orleans hotel cluster has announced that it has selected eMergent Marketing as its hotel Internet marketing agency of record for three full-service properties: the New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center, and the JW Marriott New Orleans Hotel. Marriott selected eMergent, a major provider of Internet marketing services for the hospitality industry, because of the company’s proven success in driving bookings and delivering significant ROI (return-on-investment) for over 50 other Marriott properties in the US, including well-known properties like the San Francisco Marriott, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and Eden Roc Resort.

“The rooms once occupied by those helping to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have recently been vacated as much of cleanup effort has been completed. This leaves the hotels with a lower than desired occupancy rate,” said Mauri Berry, Marketing & eCommerce Manager for the Marriott New Orleans hotel group. “By partnering with eMergent Marketing, which has a proven track record of success in online marketing for the hospitality industry, we are taking a proactive step towards revitalizing the health of our hotels.”

The New Orleans Marriott properties selected eMergent Marketing to handle their Internet marketing, due in part to the results they have shown for other New Orleans properties, like the Renaissance Arts and Renaissance Pere Marquette. By developing a comprehensive regionally-based search engine optimization strategy, synergies are realized by having one marketing firm with a complete understanding of the marketplace.

“We utilize a unique approach with each of our clients, as opposed to a turn-key program,” explained Paul Elliott, President of eMergent Marketing. “By focusing on the individual attributes of each property and variances in the location throughout the city, we are able to target different audiences and are thus able to deliver significant market share to each.” This approach has worked successfully in Atlanta, GA and Orlando, FL where eMergent Marketing manages the Internet marketing campaigns of seven Marriott properties in each location.

New Orleans’ hospitality industry has been struggling to re-establish itself in the ongoing wake of devastation left by Hurricane Katrina last summer. In an effort to do their part to assist in the recovery, eMergent will provide PPC (pay-per-click) management at no charge to a number of the New Orleans hotels.

“A vast number of people don’t realize that many of the world-class attractions, like the Aquarium of the Americas and Audubon Zoo, are up and thriving,” said Mr. Elliott. “If you’ve ever wanted to dine in a fabulous French Quarter restaurant, hang out at a legendary jazz club, and experience the flavor and culture that is distinctly New Orleans, now is a great time to take advantage of the New Orleans vacation packages that are available.”

Each New Orleans Marriott hotel offers a unique experience and easy access to nearby attractions including entertainment, the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, and a diverse French Quarter restaurant list. Marriott is now offering several New Orleans vacation packages such as Aquarium of the Americas Getaway, Summer Saver Getaway, and Romantic Escape.

About eMergent Marketing:

eMergent Marketing offers search engine marketing and Web site conversion services through a unique methodology that combines expertise in search engine optimization, paid search marketing, and Web site usability. The result is qualified Web site traffic that converts into qualified leads and buying customers. Since the launch of eMergent Marketing, the company has attracted top talent from throughout the country, and leading edge clients that include well-known consumer brands in the Fortune 500, financial services institutions, hotels and resorts, and a variety of service companies. For more information, visit http://www.emergentmarketing.com.

About Marriott Hotels:

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 143,000 employees. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.