San Francisco, CA (PRWEB via PRWebDirect) October 22, 2008 -- NileGuide (www.nileguide.com), the one-stop-solution for customizable travel planning, today announced that Blake Hutchison has joined the company as Director of Business Development. Prior to joining NileGuide, Hutchison led content and brand distribution for Lonely Planet. In his new role, Hutchison will lead business development and distribution of NileGuide's content and technology into media and travel companies looking to provide a personalized travel experience for their users.
"We're delighted to welcome Blake to NileGuide. His experience and contacts will be invaluable in extending NileGuide's position as the leading enabler of personalized travel planning," said Josh Steinitz, CEO of NileGuide. "His understanding of the tourism industry will allow us to develop relationships with companies across the travel and media spectrum."
During his time at Lonely Planet, he was instrumental in building the business development operations from the ground up. In three years, his team achieved in excess of 70 percent year-over-year growth in licensing revenues. Key milestones included the launch of Lonely Planet's co-branded YouTube Channel, a channel that features a collection of hand picked video of both Lonely Planet and UGC content. Additionally, Hutchison established a relationship with American Express where he sold and licensed the Lonely Planet's complete destination catalogue, and since that time, has influenced the evolution of their digital products and services.
"NileGuide is giving each and every traveler access to the most comprehensive, personalized and customized trip planning information available online," said Blake Hutchison, Director of Business Development, NileGuide. "I am thrilled to be a part of a team so committed to providing its users with a complete solution that will free them up from the stress of planning, and focus on the enjoyment of traveling."
In addition to his travel industry experience, Hutchison has spent time in the telecommunications industry in Australia, and has taught English in Japan. Hutchison holds a M.A. and B.A. in tourism, which he earned from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He enjoys biking in the Bay Area, planning trips or searching the globe for a sun-drenched café.
About NileGuide
NileGuide is the only one-stop-solution for personalized travel planning. NileGuide is a completely free service that provides high-quality customized recommendations to allow anyone to plan their perfect trip. It is the world's first truly interactive travel guidebook.
Founded in 2006 and based in San Francisco, NileGuide is a private company whose investors include Draper Richards, KPG Ventures, Austin Ventures, and Lehman Brothers Venture Partners.
Media Contact
Heddi Cundle
Consort Partners
nileguide @ consortpartners.com
Tel: +1 (818) 693-9779
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