Press Release: Hyatt Hotels Corporation
August 15, 2001
CHICAGO, IL -- Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced yesterday that it has selected Critical Mass to develop the new
design, functionality and technology platform for Hyatt.com and Hyatt's network of other sites in North America.
Based in Calgary, Critical Mass is a world-class developer of web sites and related marketing applications.
Critical Mass will design and develop a state-of-the-art technology platform for Hyatt.com and Hyatt's other sites
featuring personalized marketing and greater integration with Hyatt's Gold Passport program. Customer profiles
will enable targeted delivery of marketing content.
The new technology platform will incorporate Hyatt's growing number of web sites in North America to provide unified
design, functionality and content. Hyatt currently has over 40 web sites in North America and approximately 100
web sites worldwide.
``Among strong competition, Critical Mass offered the best combination of marketing applications and proven technological
capabilities,'' said Joan Lowell, Vice President of Electronic Distribution for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
The new Hyatt.com will be developed on the ATG technology platform. Advancements provided by the new system include
database-driven marketing, improved content management, remote authoring and enhanced tracking and analysis.
Hyatt.com is the global site for Hyatt's 203 properties around the world. The new Hyatt.com is being designed to
facilitate the differentiated marketing of Hyatt's worldwide brands: Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and
Hyatt Resorts.
Critical Mass will partner with Rapp Collins Worldwide to join the new Hyatt.com with Hyatt's award-winning Gold
Passport customer loyalty program. Hyatt's relationship with Rapp Collins includes marketing communication, database
applications and related activities for the Gold Passport program.
``This assignment from Hyatt allows us to apply our core strength of helping our clients build more engaging relationships
with their customers,'' said Jerry Johnston, CEO of Critical Mass. ``By combining best-of-class personalization
technologies with our expertise in creating highly individualized user experience, we believe Hyatt.com visitors
will benefit from a much more intuitive, functional and content-rich site.''
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates 122 hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Hyatt International,
through its subsidiaries, operates 81 hotels and resorts in 38 countries in the U.S., Hyatt Worldwide Reservations
for individuals and groups can be reached at 800-233-1234. Outside the U.S., contact the local Hyatt sales office
or representative. For more information about Hyatt hotels and resorts, consult Hyatt through the Internet at http://www.hyatt.com.
About Critical Mass
Critical Mass is a member of the Rapp Digital network, which is the interactive marketing unit of Rapp Collins
Woldwide. Headquartered in Calgary, with offices in Toronto, Chicago, New York and Stockholm, Critical Mass integrates
world-class web site design, leading personalization technologies and innovative e-commerce programs for a roster
of blue-chip clients that includes Mercedes-Benz USA, Procter & Gamble, Nike, Reflect.com, Samsung and SBC
Communications. Omnicom Group Inc., world's leading marketing communications company, owns a 50 percent interest
in Critical Mass. For more information about Critical Mass, visit www.criticalmass.com.
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Contact:
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Lori Armon, 312/750-8069
or
Critical Mass
Alan Zachary, 312/397-0007