The Story Behind the Story: What You Didn’t Know About Marriott’s Starwood Acquisition—and the Company’s Surprising Rebirth

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with one of the most influential communications leaders in hospitality and beyond: KC Kavanagh. Currently serving as the Chief Communications Officer for Visa, KC has also held top communications roles at companies like AT&T, Bacardi, and, of course, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Throughout her 18 year tenure with the hotel company, she helped shape the narrative and cultural cachet of brands like W Hotels, Westin, and St. Regis, just to name a few. From boardroom chaos to brand-building brilliance, KC shares behind-the-scenes stories few have ever heard: the fierce rivalry that began with a comment about a backpack; the power plays that led to Marriott’s blockbuster acquisition; and the inside scoop on the unexpected resurgence of the Starwood brand. This conversation is a love letter to bold moves, creative risk-taking, and the art of reinvention. Whether you’re in hospitality, communications, or just obsessed with brand storytelling, let this be your permission slip to think big, trust your instincts, and embrace the comeback. Connect with KC: LinkedIn - Link Thank you to this week's sponsors! Lodgify: https://www.lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Use code SUITE20 for 20% off all annual plans FeedCheck Visit FeedCheck.co/SuiteSuccess to book a demo! Flytographer Visit flytographer.com/SuiteSuccess for $25 off your first shoot! Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠Link⁠ Spotify - ⁠Link⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠Link⁠ ⁠Connect with Katie⁠  — Suite Success is part of the ⁠Hospitality.FM⁠ podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love our other podcasts directly on Hospitality.FM! Thank you to all of the ⁠Hospitality.⁠FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you like this show, please leave us a review and share it on your network!