Vondrasek steps into global role at Starwood

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide promotes Mark Vondrasek to senior vice president of commercial services. As the leader of this newly created division, Vondrasek, a 14-year Starwood veteran, will oversee the Starwood sales organisation and revenue management globally, in addition to distribution, loyalty and partnerships.
?We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talent within Starwood and we are delighted that Mark will take on additional and critical revenue-generating functions within our company,? said Adam Aron, Starwood?s interim chief executive.
?The creation of commercial services allows us to look holistically at the enterprise value of our global sales accounts, Starwood Preferred Guest members and new and emerging guests, and customers to create outsized loyalty and drive more high-value business to our hotels.?
In his new role, Vondrasek will lead an organisation of more than 7,500 associates around the globe, responsible for the SPG programme, 10 customer contact centres, mobile applications, digital initiatives, business-to-business sales strategy, revenue management and sales.
During his tenure at Starwood, Vondrasek spearheaded initiatives in loyalty such as SPG Keyless, SPGPro, Your24, SPG Lifetime, Delta Crossover Rewards and SPG Preferences.
He has also overseen Starwood?s strategic marketing partnerships, including a long-standing, co-branded credit card alliance with American Express as well as high profile entertainment partnerships.
Starwood also announces a new and expanded role for Chris Holdren, senior vice president of distribution, loyalty and partnerships, who reports to Vondrasek.
Holdren, who began his career with Starwood in 2001, will assume day-to-day leadership of SPG, digital, marketing partnerships and consumer insight and analytics.
?Chris?s enhanced role is a testament to his successful track record at Starwood and plays to his strengths in loyalty and digital where we continue to innovate and distinguish Starwood from our competitors,? said Vondrasek.