Kiran Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
WHY IT RATES: Smith brings more than two decades of invaluable experience to her new role after helping to grow brands and lead renowned marketing and advertising campaigns.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor
Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, announced today the appointment of Kiran Smith as Chief Marketing Officer, succeeding Adam Malone, who will transition into the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Guest Experience. Both will report into NCL President David J. Herrera and serve as members of the Brand senior leadership team.
With decades of experience elevating public and private companies and bringing them to the next stage of their growth potential, Smith will lead the marketing team to build a unified approach in executing data-driven strategies designed to put the guest at the center. Insight-driven storytelling will be at the core to strengthening the brand positioning, increasing guest engagement, driving sustained performance and attracting new cruise audiences.
“Kiran is a brilliant marketing mind with an incredible reputation for consistently delivering compelling campaigns that break through the noise and captivate audiences,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “I am so excited about the countless stories we have to tell about our innovative vacation experiences, amazing guests and team members.”
Herrera continued, “Over the past eight years, Adam has made significant impacts within the marketing organization and across the NCL brand as a whole. I am thrilled to have him take on this new role leading the development of guest experiences and ensuring that our long-term vision for the Brand is integrated across every step of the guest journey.”
Norwegian Cruise Line has a strong pipeline of ships on order, with seven newbuilds being added to the fleet through 2036 for an overall 50% more capacity growth. Additionally, this past April, the cruise line announced plans to expand the guest experience on its 5.6-acre private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with a new multi-ship pier; an expansive area for guests to soak up the warm Bahamian sun complete with an oversized heated pool; experiences for the whole family including a splash zone with fun water fountains and features for children; as well as a swim-up bar for guests who want to keep enjoying their unlimited open bar package off the ship.
Given the overall growing demand for cruising as a popular vacation option and the Company’s strategic fleet expansion plans, Smith will play an instrumental role in encouraging innovation and creativity across the marketing organization and helping the team leverage the latest in technology to effectively generate demand for NCL’s next generation of ships and global destinations.
“NCL is a true pioneer in the cruise industry, and I’m honored to join the Company at such a pivotal and exciting time,” said Kiran Smith, incoming chief marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Building brands that truly connect with people has always been at the heart of my work. NCL is a brand with a bold spirit, strong culture and a rich legacy — I look forward to working with this incredibly talented team to help shape its next chapter and inspire even more guests to explore the world with us.”
Her previous experience includes executive level roles across national and international consumer-focused brand companies, including ButcherBox, iRobot, Brookstone and Stride Rite where she served as the chief marketing officer. She also served as the chief executive officer of Arnold Worldwide, where she led a comprehensive assessment and realignment of the agency’s business model to increase profitability. Her career journey also includes experience with SUPERVALU and Shaw’s Supermarkets, Alliance Consulting Group, Kraft Foods and Accenture.
Kiran Smith completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Bucknell University, and then she went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, specializing in Marketing.
For more information about the Company’s award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
SOURCE: Norwegian Cruise Line press release.
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