SearchWide Global Teams Up with R4 Communications Strategies
January 25, 2019 – SearchWide Global, a St. Paul, MN-based executive recruitment firm, is partnering with R4 Communications Strategies, based in Chicago, to offer its clients access to a variety of communications strategies, including media relations, advocacy and crisis management support. Such services can be particularly useful during times of executive transition.
R4 Communications Strategies, a boutique strategic communications firm specializing in the travel and tourism industry, is owned by Meghan Risch, a communications strategist with more than 25 years in the hospitality, economic development, and travel and tourism industries. She launched the business in 2016 after leading the public relations and corporate communications teams at Choose Chicago, Chicago’s destination marketing organization (DMO), for 12 years.
“There are very few communications strategists who are well versed in the DMO industry,” said Mike Gamble, CEO of SearchWide Global. “Meghan has the experience and the measurable results we are confident our clients are seeking. In many cases, searches are confidential and the board of directors may not be in a position to rely upon the internal communications team. As a result, R4 is a solid and respected resource for our clients as we work to maintain confidentiality during the change of leadership within an organization.”
Supporting Puerto Rico
“It is an honor and a privilege to work with Mike and his team to support an industry that I am so fortunate to be part of,” said Ms. Risch. “R4 is committed to delivering effective and transparent communications strategies to help elevate brand image and reputation for destinations and their respective communities.”
Last year, SearchWide Global and R4 Communications Strategies collaborated to support Puerto Rico’s first privatized DMO, Discover Puerto Rico. R4 Communications Strategies developed and implemented a multi-tiered external communications plan to inform stakeholders, including media and customers on the mainland, how the creation of the newly established DMO would positively impact the island’s economic growth through business and leisure visitation. R4 Communication Strategies also worked with Discover Puerto Rico to officially unveil the DMO’s new name at Destination International’s annual convention in Anaheim.
“We believe the time is right to offer a strategic communications component that ensures confidentiality, allows for a smooth transition and conveys appropriate messaging for our client’s goals and objectives,” said Mr. Gamble.
R4 currently works with Destinations International, Discover Puerto Rico and DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau. In 2016, R4 Communications Strategies collaborated with Discover PHL on its bid to host the 2017 NFL draft, an event which it successfully hosted with record-setting attendance.
Experienced Recruiters
SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm focused on the travel, tourism & convention, hotel & lodging industries and sports & entertainment sectors. It specializes in C-level, director and management level searches for Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies.
Mr. Gamble handles C-level searches across all sectors while Ms. Henderson works in all sectors of the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. Ms. Henderson is also the leader of SearchWide’s industrywide diversity initiative, in addition to her involvement in several industry organizations.
The firm recently filled chief executive officer positions for Visit Aurora, Visit Baltimore, the Greater Newark Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, Visit West Hollywood, Kentucky State Fair Board, and the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. SearchWide Global is currently engaged in searches for top leaders at the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown and the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, among others.
Last year, SearchWide Global unveiled a new recruiting service specifically for customers looking to fill management roles quickly. The service, SearchWide Connect, brings speed of placement to the market, without sacrificing the quality of candidates, said the search firm. “This division of SearchWide is led by a team of young and smart industry professionals who exhibit the ability to quickly find tomorrow’s industry leaders,” said Mr. Gamble. “With unemployment at an all-time low and the war on talent at an all-time high, speed to market is critically important to many of our clients, especially in the hotel and resort sector.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
