Proceed Interactive’s Michael Wylie been on both sides of the web (if there are two sides). He was involved in the e-commerce initiatives with Hilton and Wyndham and dealt with web optimization companies that helped him sell his inventory. Now with Proceed Interactive, he’s on the other side, helping out both the chains and the independents. In this streaming audio interview, he discusses the importance of web site optimization, search engine optimization and what some of the trends and difficulties hoteliers are facing.

Michael Wylie is vice president of Travel and Hospitality for Proceed Interactive (formerly Meandaur), a full-service interactive agency specializing in the development, execution and analysis of results-driven Internet marketing campaigns. In this role, he is responsible for the practice’s business and product development, partnerships and strategic direction. Wylie also manages a number of the company’s key travel and hospitality accounts on a day-to-day basis. Prior to joining Proceed, Wylie served as vice president of e-commerce for leading hotel chain, Wyndham International. In that capacity, he led all Wyndham e-commerce efforts including managing the e-commerce functions of the company’s Web site and online marketing and personalization strategies. Wylie also led efforts to enhance the company’s online presence, generate direct-to-brand online revenue and create new revenue opportunities and partnerships. Under his leadership, Wyndham.com’s annual online revenue grew from $6 million to more than $100 million. Wylie’s experience also includes e-commerce positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation and the Synapse Group, an Internet development firm. A seasoned hospitality and marketing industry veteran, Wylie was named one of the 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in 2004. He also recently served as co-chair of the HSMAI Internet Marketing Committee.

Founded in 1996, Proceed Interactive (formerly Meandaur) is a pioneer in the development, execution and analysis of results-driven Internet marketing campaigns. A full-service interactive agency, Proceed Interactive helps Fortune 1000, travel/hospitality and consumer services companies extend brand awareness and drive sales through online marketing strategy, search marketing, online media buys, affiliate marketing, creative design & user experience, technology services and Web analytics consulting.

About the ONHTEC Exhibition - ONHTEC®, a co-production by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals® and Hsyndicate, aims to become the most comprehensive and trendsetting online conference & showcase of hospitality IT & distribution technology available on the web. Starting from October 2002, ONHTEC ® will provide quarterly scheduled online conferences geared around pertinent trends in hospitality technology. ONHTEC ® aims to provide knowledge & know-how to industry professionals at all levels of expertise. For more information about the conference, please go to the ONHTEC web site at . For more information about the exposition, please contact Lance Peterson at [email protected] or (512) 249-5333 x20.

Kevin Heilbronner is the US Editor for wiredhotelier.com and hospitalitynet.org, providing streaming multimedia-content for these websites. Based outside of Washington DC, Heilbronner has worked with Hsyndicate to conduct interviews at several hospitality trade shows in the US and Europe over the last couple of years. His column and content are featured in the Hospitality Net weekly newsletter. A familiar voice in Washington, DC, Heilbronner is the stadium announcer for the NBA's Washington Wizards, WNBA's Washington Mystics and WUSA's Washington Freedom. He resides in Centreville, VA and can be reached via email: [email protected].

Related