Above: the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hyatt has appointed Maryam Banikarim as the company’s new global chief marketing officer.

Banikarim will be responsible for “driving the company’s individual brands and the experiences they offer online and offline while working across the organization to facilitate innovation around the guest experience,” according to a statement.

She will assume the role Jan. 26, reporting to Hyatt President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hoplamazian.

“Maryam is an exceptional leader. She brings to Hyatt a wealth of experience working with brands that are experiential, emotional and brought to life in many ways, including through storytelling, all things we believe are essential to our brands and will help us achieve our goal of becoming the most preferred hotel company,” Hoplamazian said. “Her energy, creativity and focus on people, along with her passion for innovation and proven track record of results, make Maryam a perfect fit.”

Banikarim was most recently the chief marketing officer at the Gannett Company, and served previous stints at Univision Communications and NBC Universal, among other stops.

Hyatt has been on a major drive to expand in the Caribbean, with two new resorts in Jamaica that opened last month.