NY Media Exec Offered Chief Marketing Job at Commerce Corp
Friday, June 10, 2016
GoLocal has learned that Stefan Pryor has offered the controversial job of Chief Marketing Officer at the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to Lara Salamano. She is a veteran entertainment marketer working primarily for large corporate media companies in New York City.
If she accepts the position, Salamano assumes a highly scrutinized post that was previously held by Betsy Wall. Wall was dismissed in April after a chaotic tourism launch that became a national embarrassment for Rhode Island. She only served for three months.
Tourism in Flux
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter Wall left the agency, public relations company Havas saw their contract trimmed back and they have received notice of termination. although the firm is still able to negotiate a renewal.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives' Finance Committee just put forth a budget that trims the statewide tourism effort given the ill-fated roll-out this past spring, giving more money back to the local tourism agencies for the next fiscal year. This comes at the expense of the statewide effort while they work to redeem and renew their effort.
Salamano's Experience - No Tourism
Presently, Salamano serves as Vice President, Partner Marketing for Pop | CBS/Lionsgate Partnership. The company, Pop, is a joint venture of CBS Corporation and Lionsgate “The partnership combines CBS’s programming, production, and marketing assets with Lionsgate’s resources in motion pictures, television, and digitally delivered content.”
She has served in the position for three years.
According to multiple sources, Salamano has no tourism experience and members of the local tourism regions have voiced concerns about the void in relevant experience.
Previous to Pop, Salamano worked at The Promotional Edge, a marketing firm for the entertainment industry, and had stints at Viacom,MTV Networks, and Nickelodeon.
She is from Rhode Island and grew up in Warwick.
Related Slideshow: National Press Critique RI’s Embarrassing Tourism Campaign - 2016
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