Press Release: VacationCoach, Inc.
September 17, 2002
MAYNARD, MA -- VacationCoach, Inc., the leader in automated expert advice technology for the travel industry, announced
yesterday that travel industry gurus Terry Jones, founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com, and Rob Erickson,
former CFO for the travel operations of Carlson Companies, are now strategic advisors for the company. Jones and
Erickson will advise VacationCoach on the strategic direction for Me-Print(TM), the company's automated advice
tool platform, as well as helping VacationCoach grow its global partner network.
"While online travel has been great for bookings it has lacked the power to give advice. Vacation Coach's
Me-Print(TM) technology fills that gap," says Terry Jones. "I was a strong supporter of the technology
while I was leading Travelocity and I am convinced of the great benefits of automated expert advice."
Terry Jones and Rob Erickson bring over 40 years of combined strategic travel industry and technology expertise
to VacationCoach. Terry Jones was the visionary who created Travelocity -- one of the first profitable, successful
online travel businesses -- touting over 33 million members today. Prior to heading up Travelocity, Jones served
as Chief Information Officer at Sabre Inc. In his 24 years at Sabre, Jones held various executive positions including
President of Computer Services, Vice President of Applications Development and Vice President of Product Development.
He brings first hand knowledge of creating national brands, thriving in rapidly changing markets and using technology
for competitive advantage.
"I am excited about the uniqueness and value of VacationCoach's expert-powered advice tools", shares
Rob Erickson about the capabilities of VacationCoach's expert advice platform. "These intelligent solutions
have excellent potential for supporting guided sales and customer service operations both online and in call centers."
Rob Erickson has had in-depth travel experience with diverse global travel and marketing service businesses, including
roles as a founding executive of Far&Wide Travel and CFO of $4.5 billion Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Americas.
Rob's travel expertise and knowledge spans leisure and corporate travel, tour operations, cruise lines, hotels
and fulfillment services.
VacationCoach, which recently received new funding, has introduced a series of new profiling and automated advice
products utilizing chat, browser and email platforms, targeted to the travel supplier and agent community.
About VacationCoach, Inc.:
(http://www.vacationcoachinc.com/) VacationCoach, Inc. offers a
proven approach to guided selling and online customer service for the travel industry through Me-Print(TM) - the
company's leading intelligent profiling and advice delivery platform. Me-Print(TM) creates intelligent, self-service
tools, which eliminate the complexity of travel planning by instantly recommending products and services that uniquely
fit the needs of each traveler. Me-Print(TM) replicates the way experienced travel agents provide advice to travelers
thus significantly reducing customer service costs.
Me-Print(TM) has garnered top-notch industry acclaim from eTravelWorld, the Massachusetts Interactive Media Council,
Applied Arts Magazine the London International Advertising Awards and the Advertising and Design Club of Canada,
among others. Select VacationCoach partners include Travelocity.com, Trip Network, Inc. (an affiliate of Cendant
Corp.), IBM Global Services, Collette Vacations, Inc., Hearst Magazines, Aquent, WorldRes.com, Qixo, and Structured
Web.
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Contact:
PAN Communications
Ditas Mauricio/Steve Jones, 978/474-1900
vacationcoach@pancomm.com
or
VacationCoach, Inc.
Lora Kratchounova, 978/461-2102
lorak@vacationcoach.com
Source: VacationCoach, Inc.