NCL names Kiran Smith as chief marketing officer

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the appointment of Kiran Smith as chief marketing officer, succeeding Adam Malone, who will transition into the newly-created role of senior vice president of guest experience.

Both will report into company President David J. Herrera and serve as members of the senior leadership team. 

With decades of experience, Smith will lead the NCL marketing team to build a unified approach in executing data-driven strategies designed to put the guest at the centre.

Insight-driven storytelling will be at the core to strengthening the brand positioning, increasing guest engagement, driving sustained performance and attracting new cruise audiences, reads a press release.

“Kiran is a brilliant marketing mind with an incredible reputation for consistently delivering compelling campaigns that break through the noise and captivate audiences," said Herrera in a statement. "I am so excited about the countless stories we have to tell about our innovative vacation experiences, amazing guests and team members.”

Herrera continued: “Over the past eight years, Adam has made significant impacts within the marketing organization and across the NCL brand as a whole. I am thrilled to have him take on this new role leading the development of guest experiences and ensuring that our long-term vision for the Brand is integrated across every step of the guest journey.”

Ships on order

NCL has a strong pipeline of ships on order, with seven newbuilds being added to the fleet through 2036 for an overall 50 per cent more capacity growth.

Additionally, this past April, the cruise line announced plans to expand the guest experience on its 5.6-acre private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

Given the growing demand for cruising, Smith will play an instrumental role in encouraging “innovation and creativity across the marketing organization” and helping the team leverage the latest in technology to generate demand for NCL’s next generation of ships and global destinations, the company said.

“NCL is a true pioneer in the cruise industry, and I’m honored to join the Company at such a pivotal and exciting time,” said Smith. “Building brands that truly connect with people has always been at the heart of my work. NCL is a brand with a bold spirit, strong culture and a rich legacy — I look forward to working with this incredibly talented team to help shape its next chapter and inspire even more guests to explore the world with us.” 

Her previous experience includes executive level roles at ButcherBox, iRobot, Brookstone and Stride Rite where she served as the chief marketing officer.

She also served as the chief executive officer of Arnold Worldwide, where she led an assessment and realignment of the agency's business model to increase profitability.

Her career journey also includes experience with SUPERVALU and Shaw's Supermarkets, Alliance Consulting Group, Kraft Foods and Accenture.

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