Site59

, the pioneer of the last-minute travel business, announces the appointment of Robert Albert to Vice President of Strategic Alliances. 
In his role, Mr. Albert will lead Site59’s business development and manage Site59’s airline relationships.  He will also spearhead the company’s strategy development.  Currently, Site59 has distribution relationships with over 20 leading on-line travel sites and agreements with several major airlines, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways.

Mr. Albert brings notable e-commerce experience to Site59.  As Vice President of Strategy & Business Development and Director of Strategic Development at Barnes & Noble.com from 1999 to 2001, Albert helped grow the company’s distribution network significantly through deals with Bertelsmann, Discover, Looksmart, Mastercard, Travelocity and others.  He was also credited with launching the first retail interactive TV shopping channel in the US on DirecTV and a pioneering mobile shopping service with AT&T Wireless.

As a Strategic Development Consultant to AOL-funded, off-price retailer SmartBargains during 2002, Albert developed several private label and co-branded commerce initiatives with leading financial services and media partners.  These programs helped major retailers and manufacturers sell their excess inventory profitably over the Internet and through other media channels.

Previously, Albert worked in international venture capital, developing businesses in a variety of industries including travel and hospitality, media and manufacturing.  He began his career in the travel industry, establishing the sales and marketing department at a 500-room international hotel complex and managing official VIP travel at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. 

Albert holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of George Washington University.

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