Mark C. Wells, a 28-year hotel industry veteran in marketing and advertising was named today as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing for Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH).

Choice, the second largest hotel franchise company in the world, said Wells will leave his position at Promus Hotel Corp. in Memphis where he served as Senior Vice President of Franchise Services prior to the consummation of the merger of Promus and the Doubletree Hotel Corp. in late 1997.

Said William R. Floyd, Choice President and Chief Executive Officer, “Mark is the ideal candidate to fill this key role and to help Choice raise its brands to new, even more competitive levels consistent with our strategic plan. He brings to Choice a rich background of experience in brand building, sales and strategic marketing, and he has earned the respect of the hotel industry for his dedication to high brand standards.”

Wells is the second senior level executive to join Choice from Promus. In January, Donald Dempsey joined Choice as executive vice president and chief financial officer after leaving Promus where he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Dempsey brings over 30 years of hotel experience to Choice from Promus and Holiday Inn.

Wells replaces Barry Smith, who served Choice for 12 years as senior vice president of marketing. Smith, who is retiring, will be available on a consulting basis during the period of transition.

At Promus Hotels, Wells was responsible for the following functions: marketing, reservations, sales, research and planning, hotel performance services (field operations), quality assurance, guest assurance, training, corporate communications and Promus Vacation Resorts. Promus operates Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn and Suites, Doubletree Hotels, Doubletree Guest Suites and Club Hotels by Doubletree.

Wells, 48, has been with Promus since 1986 where he served as vice president, marketing for Hampton Inns which grew from 25 hotels to over 700 during his tenure as well as with Homewood Suites, Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn Suites.

Prior to joining Promus, Wells was vice president of marketing for the then Atlanta-based Days Inn of America, Inc. for four years. He also served in several marketing capacities for Holiday Inns, Inc. for seven years.

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