The Quin an Interview with Cristyne L
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NEW YORK Editors’ CHOICE The Quin An Interview with Cristyne L. Nicholas, Chief Executive Offi cer and co-Founder, Nicholas & Lence Communications EDITORS’ NOTE As the former President Is travel and tourism the main We did our first television commercial, and CEO of NYC & Company, Cristyne focus or is it broader? and celebrities like Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Nicholas established creative and stra- We thought the focus would be Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller, SINCE ITS DEBUT LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO ON THE CORNER OF tegic marketing initiatives to rebuild mostly travel and tourism but it’s amaz- Derek Jeter, and Yogi Berra showed up, want- 57th Street and Sixth Avenue, the Quin (thequinhotel.com) has NYC’s tourist industry following ing how it has evolved into many differ- ing to help. been lauded for its ability to offer guests the “quintessential” New York the devastating September 11th at- ent facets. A common thread for most of Then we went international and we’re seeing Experience. In addition to luxurious accommodations, access to the best tacks with the city’s fi rst-ever con- our clients is that they do business in New the benefi t of that now. We saw the huge impact of of New York via the hotel’s attaché, and the fi nest in locally sourced sumer television campaign, creating York or want to do business in New York. what New Yorkers could do. They felt it was their cuisine at The Wayfarer, the Quin has distinguished itself with an ex- citywide promotions and attracting How do you characterize this obligation and duty to support Broadway shows traordinary arts program known as Quin Arts. perception-altering events includ- fi r m ? and, in so doing, support the city. An innovative platform, Quin Arts honors the hotel’s artistic heritage and ing the World Economic Forum, the It’s a communications fi rm. Whether For a good two weeks after 9/11, actors connects guests with New York City’s thriving cultural landscape. Quin Arts Republican National Convention, we’re communicating to the media or would come onstage after the show and, with brings a global community of artists, patrons, and guests together through an Country Music Awards, Broadway Cristyne L. Nicholas to the public, or as my partner, George the audience, sing “God Bless America.” There ongoing series of culturally signifi cant events, exhibitions, and performances. Under the Stars, CultureFest, the NYC Lence, does with government affairsand would not be a dry eye in the house – people The program encompasses a substantial permanent collection, along with an Half Marathon, and the 2014 Super Bowl. Mayor decision-makers, we have to help hone and de- were holding hands with strangers. What we artist-in-residence series, digital displays on the lobby’s 15-foot abstract video Bloomberg appointed Nicholas to serve as a found- liver the appropriate message across all the dif- did with NYC & Company really helped people art wall, and intimate salons with participating artists. ing member of the Latin Media and Entertainment ferent size companies we work with. feel the pride in New York. Curated and co-founded by DK Johnston, Quin Arts has defi ed expecta- Commission and Governor Andrew Cuomo named Is the tourism messaging for New York Should more be done to bring atten- tions of what a luxury hotel arts program might present, displaying a slightly her to chair the Tourism Advisory Council. Nicholas City where it needs to be today? tion to tourism in the U.S.? subversive streak and earning critical acclaim with cutting-edge exhibitions spent much of the summer crisscrossing the state to The message early on from 1999 to 2001 I give credit to President Obama because that have included: promote New York’s vast tourism resources through was much different than it was after 9/11. he pulled industry leaders like Jon Tisch, Roger • Creative Chaos, a vibrant collection of new large-scale paintings by the iconic events as well as helping to rebuild tourism It was tough to market a city that people Dow, and Bill Marriott and created what is now internationally acclaimed artist, Corno to areas hit hard by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene were afraid to visit, as well as a city whose own Brand USA. Whenever a visa waiver constituent • Figurative Deconstruction by Wulf Treu, the renowned painter known with targeted TV campaigns for Coney Island, Long citizens were in a period of mourning, so we comes into the U.S., they pay $15, and part of as “the German Basquiat,” featuring dramatic large-format oil paintings on can- Island, and the Catskills. She began her career in had to strike a delicate balance. that money goes directly to Brand USA. So it’s vas, mixed media works on wood, and a video art wall installation highlighting government and politics as a campaign aide to Mayor Giuliani was a terrifi c leader and private-sector money, not taxpayer government the artist’s neon works • An exclusive preview of Eric Zener’s land series, which was exhibited U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (N.J.), as Press Secretary pulled together the New York City business sector money. • Good Story by Amanda Marie, a U.S.-born artist known both for her at Gallery Henoch to U.S. Representative Helen Bentley (M.D.), and as and the arts and culture sector, making it clear it Are you surprised with the unifi ed voice large-scale stencil street art and her refi ned gallery work • Heritage – a collection of iconic photography from Burt Glinn, Erich a campaign press secretary for President George was in the city’s best interest to keep the city behind bettering New York City and how • INcognito, a fi ne photography and mixed media series by Robert Hartmann, Dennis Stock, and Elliott Erwitt, presented in partnership with H.W. Bush. She also served as Mayor Rudolph W. open and welcoming. He gave us the green light critical is the private sector role in that? Christian Malmberg, whose distinctive approach in blending old world technol- Magnum Photos Giuliani’s Director of Communications. She cur- to move ahead to market the city, but we were still The private sector role has always been ogy with contemporary subject matter has earned an international following. • Blek le Rat, the “Father of stencil graffi ti,” who created a series of unique rently serves as the Chairman of the century old very cautious about how we went about it. crucial to New York’s success. Our diversity of lithographs, collectively entitled Escaping Paris, at the New York Academy of Broadway Association and on boards such as the What was the secret to your success? industries is what makes New York such a pow- Art for the Quin during his tenure as artist-in-residence. ABNY Steering Committee, The Pelham Picture Our fi rst step was to go after the low-hang- erful city. New Yorkers want to have buy-in and The Quin’s permanent collection also includes Blek le Rat’s “Love House, and Percent for Art. ing fruit, as we wanted to make sure that New there should be even more partnership. If we America” on the 14th fl oor and loaned works including the “Great Wedding,” Yorkers would be there to sustain the arts, ho- are overtaxed and overregulated, crime goes “What Has Been Seen Cannot Be Unseen,” and “Tango,” as well as original COMPANY BRIEF Nicholas & Lence tels, etc. We asked folks close by to take a vaca- up and businesses could leave. work from YZ, Wulf Von Treu, and Patrick Graham, plus 15 new pieces from Communications (nicholaslence.com) is a New tion in and support their city – to be a tourist Are you ever concerned about New Bristol-based street artist, Nick Walker. The Quin’s new triplex Penthouse Suite York City-based strategic communications, pub- in their own town and as a boost to patriotic York not remaining a global leader? features unique artwork curated by DK Johnston including a diptych by the lic relations, and government affairs fi rm with tourism. This began in the fi ve boroughs, and I trust it will remain a global leader but artist ASVP titled, “Keep This Coupon (Wildness).” The summer 2015 opening clients such as the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island grew outward to the Tri-State area. In a matter certainly that concerns me. We can’t rest on our of Penthouse Suite has added an inspiring new location for artist salons and Foundation, Statue Cruises, Brookfi eld Property of weeks, it became the Northeast Corridor and prior successes. For instance, I view movies and special-arts programming at the Quin. Partners, United Airlines, and the International then it became a national effort. I recall that the TV shows that are filmed here as an impor- The Quin has also extended the Quin Arts program beyond the hotel’s Equestrian Group. It specializes in media re- fi rst parade following 9/11 was on Columbus tant part of marketing for the city and state. walls, affording special access for its guests to theatrical performances, dance lations, community and government relations, Day and a group of 800 Oregonians showed Although it doesn’t seem like a lot in terms of programs, and rehearsals not available to the general public. For 2015, the crisis management, destination marketing, and up wearing “Oregon Loves NY” T-shirts. We ar- the greater budget, many of these movies or Quin developed partnerships with organizations including Lincoln Center and corporate positioning. ranged for them to march in the parade, which TV pilots are being made in New York on a Youth America Grand Prix.