Jeffrey Morris, a 25-year creative advertising and marketing strategist in the greater Los Angeles area, has been named the Chief Marketing Officer for Visit West Hollywood, the city's tourism organization. 

Mr. Morris joins the organization at the launch of a new brand and supporting campaign, where he is a natural fit.  He has built brands for leaders in the sectors of tourism and travel, retail, sports, restaurants and entertainment. He created marketing programs for Universal Studios Hollywood, DreamWorks Animation, The Los Angeles Times, Cirque du Soleil, Kroger Supermarkets, Ketel One Vodka, Los Angeles Clippers Professional Basketball team, and restaurants such as IHOP and Marie Callender's – for which he won Addy's, Telly's and an Effie Award – the industry's highest recognition for advertising effectiveness.

In 2015, Mr. Morris managed the strategic and creative implementation of Los Angeles' popular and successful “What's your LA Story” campaign.  The effort was developed for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.  A comprehensive domestic and international brand strategy increased awareness, consideration, visitation and room-night business in Los Angeles.  The campaign was the most successful to date for the tourism organization, and was recognized by Expedia as a “Top Digital Campaign”, along with other accolades.

“Because our city's marketing budget is funded by overnight stays' bed tax from visitors, Jeff's experience is key to the city's success,” said Tom Kiely, President and CEO of Visit West Hollywood.  “We feel Jeff will raise our profile and build additional demand for our hotels as well as all businesses here that make us a global destination within the LA area.” Mr. Morris' digital marketing work has been seen worldwide in Australia, Canada, China, and the UK – markets which West Hollywood is very involved in developing.

“There is absolutely no place on earth like West Hollywood,” said Jeff Morris, “and I am thrilled to be joining the team to promote this world-class destination and invite visitors from around the globe to experience what WeHo is all about.”

Most recently, Mr. Morris was the Founder and Chief Management Supervisor for Strategy + Craft, a 'Modern Marketing Partner' providing creative digital and traditional marketing solutions to brand partners through collaborate efforts with strategists, designers and content creators.

Prior to his role at Strategy + Craft, Mr. Morris spent more than 20 years as a partner at HEILBrice Marketing Communications in Newport Beach, serving in the role of President for 11 years.

It was there that for more than 10 seasons, Morris led the Account and Creative teams to develop all of the advertising and marketing efforts for the Los Angeles Clippers.  His work earned praise and won awards for the campaign: “Represent.”  The effort took “Best Integrated Team Marketing and Branding Campaign” honors at the ProMax BDA awards, and included comprehensive TV, Outdoor, Digital, Social and In-Arena communication.

Along with awards for the Clippers' “Represent.”, he won an Effie Award for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Outstanding Theme Park Marketing for Universal Studios Hollywood, the Golden Marble Award for Excellence in Children's Promotion for Kroger Grocery Stores, and the Southern California Broadcast Association Award from the Los Angeles Times.

In his new role,  he will direct Visit West Hollywood's marketing effort supporting 16 hotels, two motels, two hotels nearing completion, a third new hotel opening in 2018, as well as the Sunset Strip and the West Hollywood Design District Business Improvement Districts.

Jeffrey Morris assumed his position May 1 at the Visit West Hollywood offices at the Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Avenue Suite M60, West Hollywood, California 90069.  Reach him at 310-289-2525 or morris@visitwesthollywood.com.  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mojeffrey/

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Press Contacts:  Anne Van Gorp, media@visitwesthollywood.com, 310-289-2525

Susan Wilson, Susan Wilson Marketing, susan.wilson@susanwilsonmarketing.com, 480-824-3015