Starwood Names Tad Smith, Senior Vice President, E-Commerce

In this newly created position, Mr. Smith, 33, will have worldwide responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive Internet strategy for Starwood. This Internet strategy will include securing alliances with key online and other travel partners, reviewing and investing in new Internet-based business opportunities, further enhancing the company's websites, and managing the company's Internet-based marketing and customer service programs. He will be located at the Company's White Plains, NY headquarters and report to Juergen Bartels, chief executive officer of Starwood's Hotel Group.

"We are very pleased to have attracted an executive of Tad's caliber to our team," said Barry S. Sternlicht, chairman and chief executive of Starwood. "His hire is a recognition of the importance of the E-commerce function to our company going forward."

Prior to joining Starwood, Mr. Smith was with BMG Entertainment, the North American entertainment division of Bertelsmann, the German media conglomerate, where he was, most recently, the managing director of Nice Man Merchandising, the apparel and concessions operation of BMG. Before that assignment, Mr. Smith was Vice President for Corporate Development with the North American Division of BMG. Mr. Smith successfully sold Nice Man Merchandising in 1998 and has since been consulting in the areas of new media and technology for BMG, Starwood and a number of start-up companies.

Prior to BMG, Mr. Smith spent four years with the Los Angeles office of McKinsey & Company, the international management consulting firm where he was most recently responsible for building the firm's West Coast entertainment practice.

Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International affairs of Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Smith is married and lives in New York City.

Starwood is the world's largest hotel and gaming company which, through its subsidiaries, operates the Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Ciga, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Caesars brands. Starwood's portfolio of owned, managed and franchised hotels and casinos include more than 700 hotels and casinos in 72 countries with over 223,000 rooms.