Imagine PR: Firm Profile
Whoever thought of the idiom “leave nothing to the imagination” must have had Imagine PR in mind in coming up with the lexis because that so accurately describes the result of experiential travel, one of many specialties that clients of the New York-based firm are known for.
Somewhat new in the U.S., experiential travel immerses travelers in the culture and environment of the destination they’re visiting. It moves visitors beyond the usual guided tour and engages them in a deeper and more memorable experience, by connecting them with the community, its food and people they’re visiting. Advocates say it’s not only personalized but also inspirational and sometimes a path to self-discovery.
As an integrated agency, Imagine PR not only understands experiential but specializes in every aspect of travel and luxury hospitality for its clients. As such, Imagine PR’s services are diverse and expansive. In addition to hotel openings, special events, media relations and tours, and familiarization trips, the award-winning agency also specializes in strategic communications, crisis management, executive interviews and celebrity outreach.
Imagine PR also has a diversity of strengths in all aspects of social media and offers clients services like content strategy, content development and distribution, influencer connections, platform management and development, strategic brand partnerships and hashtag campaigns.
Imagine PR is led by two experts with deep experience in tourism and hospitality public relations. Gabriele Sappok spent nearly two decades representing some of the largest brands in the industry before she started the agency in 2006. She also has a deep background in digital marketing.
Andreas Sappok came on board as Managing Partner in 2014 after more than 18 years in travel and hospitality. He had been General Manager of Circle Line and Chairman of the Attraction Council for U.S. Travel. He also currently serves as a board member for NYC&Co, a nonprofit organization marketing New York’s convention and visitors bureau.
Its Track Record
Armed with this deep and diverse expertise, Imagine PR successfully serves some of the best-known hospitality and experiential travel brands in every continent of the world, except Antarctica. One such client is micro destination Niseko Village, part of YTL Hotels. As a result of its efforts, and focusing on some of its unique selling points, Imagine PR managed to achieve more than 60 media placements in publications like AFAR, Vogue, Bloomberg, Men’s Journal, the New York Post and Departures.
Another client, Sigita, already had a reputation as a luxury safari destination in Zimbabwe but Imagine PR stepped it up several notches. Working with AFAR, Sigita hosted a week’s stay for a visually-impaired writer who had never been there. The result was a 12-page story with 13 photos that not only touched the hearts of thousands of readers but also received several awards. After being appointed agency of record for the Slovenian Tourism Board in May 2017, Imagine PR’s challenge was to promote a tiny country that’s smaller than the state of New Jersey to an American audience. Because of its quick and effective work, visitor count from North America had already risen 36% between January and October 2018.
