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Former Executives of Starwood, Disney, and American Express
Join

 

Jeffrey Lapin, former President and COO of Starwood, Art Levitt, former President,
Disney Regional Entertainment, and Andy Wing former Senior Executive
at American Express join the runtriz™ Advisory Board


Visit Booth 1835 at HITEC

Los Angeles – June 21, 2011 – runtriz™ is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Lapin and Art Levitt are the company's latest investors and newest members of its Advisory Board, joining Andy Wing, Chairman of the Board. In addition, Flinn Flexer has been named Chief Operating Officer to spearhead the company's strategic initiatives and operating plan.

runtriz™ is the leader in mobile hospitality solutions delivering a complete suite of mobile communications, marketing and on-demand services to hotel properties and their guests.  The  company’s Hotel Evolution platform offers hotel guests access to all property services at their fingertips via any device – smartphone, tablet or laptop – anytime, anywhere, and pre or post check in.  For hotel staff, it enables them to communicate with their guests more efficiently and effectively than ever before, plus capture key data to drive a richer guest experience and significant, incremental revenues.

"To meet and exceed our clients’ expectations with the best possible experience, we've got to attract and engage the right strategic advisors and team who want to roll up their sleeves and make a difference," said Matthew Allard, runtriz™ founder and CEO.  “We are fortunate to have attracted our newest Advisory Board members and COO to join our team.  They understand the value that runtriz™ brings to lodging operators and their guests, and we are delighted to know that the future of our company -- and the mobile solutions we will develop and deliver to our customers -- will be well directed."

As former President and COO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Lapin brings to runtriz™ deep operating and management experience in the hospitality industry. He also offers great insight into developing world class technology platforms and engaging user experiences. Most recently he served as CEO of Atari, publisher of online and boxed video games, and President and CEO of RazorGator Interactive Group, an eCommerce company that sells event tickets and related services. In addition to holding executive posts with other software development/publishing companies, Lapin served as President of House of Blues Hospitality Inc., CEO of Take Two Interactive, and Vice Chairman of THQ.

"Mobile connectivity between hotels and their guests is the future of customer service in the hospitality industry," Lapin said. "In addition to improving the guest experience, hotels managers and owners will have access to improved customer data, and mobile connectivity will create new revenue opportunities. runtriz™ has the early adopter advantage with installations in most of the leading hotel brands. I look forward to helping runtriz™ grow its already industry leading position."

Levitt comes to runtriz™ with more than 20 years of experience building businesses in the media, hospitality, and entertainment industries.  He was Founder and CEO of Fandango, President of Disney Regional Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Co. launching entertainment concepts like ESPNZone, as well as President and CEO of Hard Rock Café International.

“Having been involved in the hospitality industry as both an operator and global business and leisure traveler, I am excited by the significant value that the runtriz™ product offers for both hotel guests as well as the hotel operator," Levitt said. "The runtriz™ team has done an excellent job of developing a world-class solution and implementing it in dozens of top resorts domestically and abroad.”

Wing joins the team as Chairman of the Board, and brings 25 years of senior leadership and management experience building loyalty and rewards programs, as well as strategic partnerships.  He served in multiple senior executive roles at American Express in addition to stints as CEO, Nielsen Entertainment and CEO, Cantor Entertainment, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald.

“runtriz's™ focus on revolutionizing customer service through their mobile technology platform in the hospitality sector is unprecedented," Wing said. "Additionally, runtriz's™ clients can now receive real-time data to profitably influence their day-to-day decision making process. Ultimately, I envision runtriz™ creating a broad network that will enhance the service of their hospitality clients and in turn, reach a highly desirable audience of leisure and business travelers.”

Allard said he also is extremely pleased that Flexer has joined the company as COO to spearhead its growth strategy and new business development: “With a strong background in platform technologies, marketing, and social media, Flinn brings a fresh perspective to runtriz™ as well as a solid portfolio of relationships," Allard said.

"The hospitality industry is ripe for transformation, leveraging new technologies that benefit both properties and guests," Flexer said. "runtriz™ has figured this out, and is the front-runner in the market having proven its concept among the most demanding brands. I am thrilled to join runtriz™ -- a group that I consider to have the best solution and exceptional customer service.”

Most recently, Flexer led, advised and invested in several small to medium-sized businesses focused on marketing, eCommerce, social media and technology.  Previously, he worked as an investment banker with Chase Securities and Raymond James Financial, where he worked directly for the CEO handling corporate development and strategy.  Flexer also founded the firm's Alternative Investments Group, and co-managed its private equity group and merchant bank.  Earlier in his career, Flexer served as Assistant Attorney General in Arizona, and chief counsel to the Departments of Gaming, Racing and Liquor.

Hoteliers interested in learning more about runtriz™ solutions should visit the team at HITEC, June 21-23 at the Austin (Texas) Convention Center in Booth 1835. To pre-schedule an appointment at the premier hotel technology event, call Chad Fisher at (323) 230-9727.

For more information on the products and services runtriz™ offers, please visit its website at www.runtriz.com.

About runtriz™

runtriz™ is the premier Los Angeles-based global hospitality network specializing in mobile solutions for innovative hospitality brands.  The firm has developed cutting edge interactive applications that allow their partners to provide customers with unparalleled service. The brand’s portfolio of services, including the highly lauded Hotel Evolution application, puts consumers back at the center of the value proposition by placing retail, hospitality and residential services in the palm of their hands. For more information, visit runtriz.com

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Contact: 

Matthew Allard 
Founder/President 
runtriz 
Tel: (323) 230-9727
[email protected]

Barb Worcester 
PRPRO 
Tel: (440) 930-5770 
[email protected]

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