March 20, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
BISHOP MUSEUM ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO SALES AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT
HONOLULU – Bishop Museum has announced the following promotions and additions to its Sales and Marketing Department:
Blair Collis has been promoted to senior director of sales and marketing. He was previously director of Bishop Museum Press. In his new position, Collis oversees the Museum’s Sales and Marketing Department, which is comprised of the Museum’s Marketing and Public Relations, Press, Retail Shop, Sales and Visitor Services Units. He will also be responsible for all aspects of sales and marketing including strategic planning, brand management, advertising, and public relations. Prior to joining Bishop Museum, Collis was director of sales and marketing for Mutual Publishing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Hawai‘i. Collis is also president of the Hawai‘i Book Publishers Association and chairman of the Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival.
Wes Chong has been appointed director of sales. He oversees and directs resident and visitor sales initiatives for Bishop Museum and its sister facilities, Hawai‘i Maritime Center and Amy Greenwell Garden. Chong brings over 20 years of experience his new position. He has held various positions in the visitor industry including sales and marketing manager at Avis Rent A Car, director of marketing for Ala Moana Hotel, and director of sales at Westin Ilikai Hotel.
Naoko Komiya has been appointed Asia Pacific marketing manager. She will be responsible for the development and management of the museum’s Asia Pacific tours, optional programs, and group sales. Komiya was most recently with JTB Hawai‘i as its supervisor of optional tour sales. A native of Japan, she studied architecture and interior design before moving to Hawai‘i.
Patti-Jo Chong has been named marketing and public relations director. She is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for the museum, creating community partnerships, and developing events and activities that complement the museum’s facilities, collections and programs. Prior to joining Bishop Museum, Chong was general sales manager at Sports Radio KKEA 1420 AM and sales and marketing director at AT&T. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai’i and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
Ron Cox has been named press manager. He is responsible for the daily operations of Bishop Museum Press, the oldest continuous publisher of books in Hawai‘i. His responsibilities include all purchasing and related issues, negotiating terms, and maintaining relationships with authors, artists and other vendors. Cox was most recently director of operations at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Hawai’i and is fluent in Hawai‘ian language.
A treasured resource of Hawai‘ian history and heritage Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.