InterContinental Hotels Names Global Insights SVP

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has appointed long-time Walmart exec Matt Kistler as Senior Vice President of Global Insights, Analytics and Data.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,600 hotels and approximately 837,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries. It also manages IHG Rewards Club, its global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members. Kistler (pictured) joins the group with more than 25 years' experience in leadership roles. Most recently, he worked for Symphony RetailAI as EVP, Chief Strategy & Client Partner, before which, he spent fourteen years at Walmart - initially working for Sam's Club, and latterly as SVP, Global Consumer Insight and Analytics for the group. He began his career at General Foods, before moving to Kraft.

In his new Atlanta-based role, Kistler and his team will use analytics to better anticipate and meet guest needs and preferences, and bolster the position of the company's global portfolio of fifteen brands. In addition to consumer insights, Kistler's team is responsible for assessing brand and category performance and measuring the return on investment of marketing campaigns and activities around the globe.

He reports to Chief Marketing Officer Claire Bennett, who comments: 'Having worked with some of the largest global brands in the world, Matt brings extensive experience in consumer intelligence to IHG. His leadership will be critical as we continually strive to get closer to our guests, and leverage data in the most responsible ways to create incredible, personal experiences for our guests.'

Web site: www.ihgplc.com .