Digital #10
Unexpectedly, Trivago integrated Google Hotel Ads in trivago Business Studio. “Now,” according to the German metasearch company, “you can create a Google Hotel Ads campaign without leaving your Business Studio. (…) It runs on the CPA model, so you can advertise to a wider global audience with no extra risk.”
Digital #9
By a similarly odd move, Tripadvisor launched Review Hub, the new reputation management tool, giving restaurant owners and managers the ability to respond to reviews not only on Tripadvisor, but on Google, Facebook, TheFork, Yelp and, More, All from One Easy-to-Use Platform. You can take a peak at the platform here.
Digital#8
Mother is “one of the world’s most respected, independent creative companies” in the world, and, if you’re into design, you’ve probably heard of them. Their last work was the revamp of the Tripadvisor logo. “The redesigned logo,” Associate Editor of Creative Bloq, Ruth Hamilton, wrote “keeps the essence of Ollie (Tripadvisor owl mascotte) but given him a minimalist makeover. The new Tripadvisor logo has a simpler, monochrome design that’s much more flexible for use in different contexts.” The rebrand incorporates a new custom type font (Trip Sans), a new color palette, and the “a” in the name is no longer in capitals.
Digital#7
But will a logo revamp be enough to save Tripadvisor? As the company celebrates its 20th birthday, it may be facing way bigger issues. Just to name one: Viator. The company was acquired six years ago for $200M, and it is now officially operating independently from Tripadvisor Experiences. Experiences President, Dermot Halpin (obviously) left the company and will only stay in Q1 with the role of advisor. Viator Founder, Rod Cuthbert, enjoyed an I told you so moment, by saying that, “back in 2017,” he already talked “about the mistake I felt Trip was making in shifting emphasis away from Viator, the established leader in tours and activities, to Tripadvisor Experiences.” Based on the announcement, he was totally right.
Digital#6
But it gets worse: according to rumors, Tripadvisor may be making cuts for something around $60M and $80M. First one to go? CFO and President for APAC, Gary Fritz, leaving in Q2.
Digital#5
Changes in the Experience unit for Airbnb as well: the company hired Catherine Powell, former Walt Disney theme park president. That’s not the first time Disney exects get into the travel space: last May, Tripadvisor appointed Kanika Soni, former SVP, global e-commerce of the Consumer Products Division Disney, as President of the Company’s Hotels Business Unit.
Digital#4
After 11 years as LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Weiner is now stepping down. He will be replaced by Ryan Roslansky, another LinkedIn veteran, that has been in the company since before Microsoft acquired it (for over $25B) in 2016. Currently, LinkedIn as around 700M members.
Digital#3
Sabre seems unstoppable lately: it just signed a strategic long-term global partnership with OYO, connecting the Indian company to almost 1M travel agents worldwide via Sabre GDS.
Digital#2
According to the Phocuswright’s Europe Online Travel Overview 2019 study, “Europe’s travel market grew 2% in 2019 to €296B [and] travel continues to be a key element of the European lifestyle.”
Digital#1
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni represents “a century and a half of welcoming elegance.” Recently awarded by Travel & Leisure N°1 resort in Italy, the hotel is so iconic that it inspired the famous Bellagio Hotel, in Las Vegas. Among its guests, you can find names such as JFK, Al Pacino, and George Lucas. During today’s episode of Digital. (3:00 PM CET)I will be joined by Anita Cancelliere, Marketing Manager (and personal friend of mine), and we’ll talk about the current state of luxury in travel. Don’t miss it!