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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 17, 2008

PR exec back in Isles; joins McNeil Wilson

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Jeanne Datz-Rice

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A public relations executive who has headed up communications for groups ranging from the state chapter of the American Red Cross to Hilton Hotels & Resorts' North America division is returning to Hawai'i next month.

McNeil Wilson Communications today announced that Jeanne Datz-Rice will join the firm as senior vice president of travel and tourism.

Datz-Rice, a PR veteran with strong ties to Hawai'i, most recently served as director of communications for The Waldorf-Astoria Collection brand and the U.S. Western Region for Hilton Hotels Corporation, based in Beverly Hills, Calif.

"Jeanne has earned a reputation nationwide as one of the top public relations executives within the hospitality industry," said David McNeil, principal of McNeil Wilson Communications.

For Datz-Rice, the return brings her back to the community where she has worked the longest and lets her reunite her family. Her husband, Alan Rice, is the Hawai'i state dealer for Segway scooters, and has been living in Waikiki for 2 1/2 years while she lived in California.

"I'm looking forward to living with my husband again," she said. They have been commuting back and forth five to six times a year.

After 21 years working with Hilton hotels, she's interested in taking a job that will keep her in the hotel or hospitality end of the business but in Hawai'i. "It's an industry that you either love or you don't love," she said.

Even though she's been away for 14 years, she still fields Hawai'i questions weekly, some of them spurred by the Hawaiian bracelets she kept wearing. "I've spent most of my adult life in Hawai'i," she said.

Datz-Rice said she's been excited to see the continued improvements to Waikiki, the many hotel renovation projects statewide and an upswing in culturally authentic tourism. "Hawai'i is still one of the most popular destinations in the world," she said.

Datz-Rice joined Hilton Hotels in 1987 as the first regional director of public relations for Hilton Resorts Hawaii. In 1994, she was tapped to lead the public relations efforts for Hilton Hotels & Resorts in North America and relocated to the company's World Headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Over the next 14 years, Datz-Rice developed numerous successful marketing communications and promotional campaigns and was the recipient of more than 25 public relations and hospitality awards and recognitions.

Datz-Rice began her public relations career with Berkhemer & Associates in Los Angeles. She moved to Honolulu in 1978 where she held several positions with marketing/public relations agencies and was public information officer for the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In addition to hotels, Datz-Rice has been associated with some other well-known companies, including Baskin-Robbins, Orange Julius, Knott's Berry Farm, Popeye's Famous Fried Chicken and Serta Mattresses.

McNeil Wilson clients include the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, Kaua'i Visitors Bureau, Marriott International, Prince Resorts Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association, Polynesian Cultural Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Atlantis Submarines and JTB Hawaii.

McNeil Wilson Communications is part of the Anthology Marketing Group, a marketing company that also comprises Laird Christianson Advertising, QMark Research, and StarrTech Interactive.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.