When it comes to travel public relations, the Brandman Agency is among the ten best according to 10 Best PR. Brandman is a boutique agency specializing in luxury travel, tourism, lifestyle brands, and real estate. Since founder and CEO Melanie Brandman opened its headquarters in New York City in 2000, the privately-held firm has accelerated its global presence and expanded to Los Angeles, London and Sydney.
Expertise
The agency prides itself on excelling in openings, launches, renovations, social media, influencer engagement, digital marketing, brand partnerships, media relations, and creative activations. A recent addition to its services is the addition of 30, 60, and 90-day COVID-19 recovery plans and other options to help the travel industry return to business safely, smartly, and as quickly as possible.
Clients
A list of Brandman’s travel clients is lengthy and includes well-known brands like Ritz Carlton Reserve’s Dorado Beach, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Moxy in Chelsea, East Village and Times Square, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, the Ritz Carlton Hotels in Dorado Beach, Half Moon Bay, Kapalua, Kyoto, Waikiki Beach, San Francisco, and Tokyo, the Marriott International Caribbean & Latin America, the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, and the Hilton Chicago to name just a few. And in July, Brandman announced that it had just become the agency of record for the Gaylord Hotels.
Among hospitality products and amenities, Brandman has served the Mascioni Hotel Collection and Resort Pass. The firm also represents Casamigos Tequila, an award-winning alcohol beverage made in Mexico and one of whose co-founders is actor George Clooney.
In the travel sector, Brandman works with Cathay Pacific Airways, Crystal, Wiltrans International: Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Walk Japan. Windsor, an exclusive residential community in Vero Beach, Florida, is the agency’s real estate client.
Leadership
Before opening her agency, Brandman was Vice President of Corporate Affairs for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts as well as for Vogue Australia and launched other travel start-ups like Travel Curator, a global travel and lifestyle newsletter. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association recognized her accomplishments in 2016 with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and WONDERLUST recently named her one of the “50 Most Important Women in Travel.” When she’s not at the office, Brandman serves on the Bodhi Tree Foundation board and is the manager of the US Elephant Polo Team.
As a seventh-generation Australian, Brandman has traveled extensively to more than 70 countries, which also gives her a deep perspective and awareness of the firm’s travel and hospitality clients. She credits her agency’s success to a culture of exceptionally high standards that result in delivering exceptional client service.
Brandman is assisted by Kristen Vigrass, the agency president, who came aboard in 2001. Prior to that, Vigrass had a record of award-winning work with clients like Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, and Krispy Kreme. She was also responsible for opening the firm’s offices in London, Los Angeles, and Sydney.