Magrino announced Chris Walters as its new Senior Vice President, Travel and Real Estate, a new position for the company.
Chris has nearly 20 years of integrated marketing experience serving luxury lifestyle, travel, and real estate clients around the world. Prior to joining Magrino, Chris held senior positions with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, Pernod Ricard USA, and NJFPR, where he served as managing director. At NFJPR his leadership led to double-digit growth while driving client solutions and bottom-line results for top agency accounts like Canyon Ranch wellness resorts, Gansevoort Hotel Group, and Proper Hotels & Residences. Award-winning campaign work includes iStar’s multibillion-dollar redevelopment of Asbury Park and the launch of The Asbury hotel, as well as corporate initiatives like Westin Hotels & Resorts’ global Well-Being Movement, along with countless other launches and openings across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“We are in a growth mode at Magrino, coming off the strongest year in our history, and adding someone of Chris’ caliber and expertise to our team will help us to continue our expansion,” said Allyn Magrino, President and Chief Revenue Officer of Magrino. “His experience working both at a brand level as well as with individual properties in the hotel space, as well as his knowledge of the design, lifestyle and beverage industries, will be a great fit with our client base and expertise and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”
A California native, his love affair with hotels started with a PR post at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Since then, a diverse mix of in-house and agency roles have shaped his innate ability to move outside PR’s traditional silos to achieve the win, having honed a deep passion and expertise in digital campaigns, influencer relations, consumer activation, and strategic partnerships. Chris’ fascination with travel and culture is lifelong, sprouting from a tour as a professional dancer that took him to 20 countries and more than 100 islands in just two years. Equally zealous about NYC, he spends his free time biking the bridges and supporting the arts.
