Phillip Haller

Phillip has spent over 18 years helping hotels and resorts all over the world marketing their services. Based in Italy, he runs Marketplan, an international consultancy company he founded in 2003.

What are some of the more exciting projects you have worked on?

I work in resort destinations of Italy, Spain, Morocco, France and Portugal, as well as European cities and exotic locales. My most interesting project currently is creating a luxury beachfront hotel in the Seychelles. Other exciting assignments have involved launching lifestyle marketing programs in Sardinia for luxury brands, including Harrods of London. I collaborate with star names in the design, hospitality and sports industries, including architect Tom Wright (Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s wind sail hotel) and designer Adam Tihany (New York’s Le Cirque), as well as star chefs Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsay and pro golfers Gary Player and Seve Ballersteros.

What is your strongest Sheridan memory?

One day we had a guest speaker (VP of Marketing for Meridien Hotels, Bob Overan) who inspired me to hone my skills in the marketing sphere of the industry. I have fond memories of my time at Sheridan, both from a teacher – student perspective and as part of a collaborative group of students. Working together with my classmates on assignments was a positive, hands-on experience that I believe is very applicable to industry.

What followed after graduation?

I continued my studies in London and soon began working for a small hotel there. A few lucky breaks brought me to Italy where I was Director of Sales and Marketing for Forte Village on the island of Sardinia. Similar positions of increasingly responsibility followed in Portugal and Spain, as well as Italy, including stints at Reid’s Palace in Madiera (Orient Express Hotels /Trains) and the Boscolo Group of hotels in Italy.

My current company Marketplan offers branding, marketing and sales expertise to hotels and hotel companies. Although my offices are in Milan and Rome, I have set up a network of satellite offices and consultants all over Europe and the USA.

Working in ParadiseHow does hotel marketing differ in Europe compared to North America?

The biggest difference is not the skill set but the proximity of so many countries within very short distances. Your cultural exposure is much more intense so you definitely don’t feel isolated or out-of-touch.