Solar-March will drive global brand marketing strategy for the growing hospitality brand’s 30+ properties throughout the U.S. and U.K.
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Graduate Hotels announced the appointment of Michaella Solar-March as Chief Marketing Officer. Based in the brand’s Nashville headquarters, she will drive global marketing strategy for Graduate Hotels’ more than 33 hotels across the U.S. and U.K. Solar-March brings nearly two decades of diversified experience leading integrated marketing efforts for leading companies in the lifestyle, hospitality, and real estate industries, including Rockefeller Center, Tishman Speyer, Soho House & Co., and Sonos.
“Michaella has an incredible track record for cultivating community gathering places that are rooted in culture and storytelling,” said Kevin Osterhaus, Graduate Hotels President. “There is great alignment between the impactful global marketing campaigns she has successfully executed and the founding principles of the Graduate Hotels brand. We’re thrilled to have her join the team and help us continue to strengthen our brand identity globally, while simultaneously honoring a hyper-local focus.”
Solar-March most recently served as a Managing Director at MA Financial based in Sydney, Australia, as Chief Marketing officer for MA Hotel Management, a hospitality platform with six funds across a $2B hospitality portfolio. There, she was responsible for strategic brand marketing and creative for all assets under management, including Redcape Hotel Group portfolio which owns and operates 35 community-focused venues, as well as 24 bottle shops, three accommodation venues, and The Australian Brewery.
Prior to MA Financial, Solar-March was based in New York City and served in a dual role as Chief Marketing Officer for Tishman Speyer, a leading global real estate owner, operator, developer and fund manager headquartered in Manhattan, and the Chief Marketing Officer for Rockefeller Center, a landmark asset within the Tishman Speyer portfolio. During her time, she oversaw all brand marketing for Tishman Speyer, including a global rebrand of the firm, as well as the rebrand of Rockefeller Center. As Chief Marketing Officer for Rockefeller Center, Solar-March was inspired by the idealism and promise Rockefeller originally had for the ‘city within the city’, and led with a focus on brand, community, and cultural commerciality to introduce modern programming and strategic partnerships that would eventually lead the Center to become one of the most in-demand cultural venues in New York. Leveraging her strength in connecting commerce with culture, Solar-March also oversaw the campus’ ambitious public art program, which included strategic partnerships with Frieze and Art Production Fund.
She additionally served as Global Director of Members Events & Brand Programming for Soho House & Co., where she led an international team across 10 countries to drive original brand programming and cultural content partnerships to drive member engagement and retention. During her tenure, Solar-March oversaw the strategy, development and production for creative programming and live experiences globally including creative partnerships, communications strategy, original content development, and pop-up experiences. Before Soho House & Co., she worked for Sonos where she played an integral role in the customer experience and marketing for Sonos’ first flagship retail environment in Soho, New York, as well as driving the omnichannel integrated marketing and communications campaigns for Sonos retail.
“Every Graduate Hotels property is designed to be a highly intentional and immersive experience inspired by local traditions and legends,” said Michaella Solar-March, Graduate Hotels, Chief Marketing Officer. “Connecting community, culture, and branded storytelling has always been central to my career, and no one does that with more authenticity than this beloved brand and talented and dynamic team. I’m thrilled to be joining the company during such an exciting phase of growth, and I look forward to creating meaningful memories and lifelong relationships with our guests.”
Driven by her passion for mentorship and peer support, Solar-March is also the co-founder of Other Company, a free and private platform for global executive female leaders for confidential connection and support. She moved to the U.S. in 2010 to join the marketing team at Beggars Group, which is home to celebrated independent music labels 4AD, Matador, Rough Trade and XL Recordings. Her passion for music remains as strong as ever, and the move to Graduate’s headquarters in Nashville will provide Solar-March the opportunity to explore all that ‘Music City’ has to offer.
Graduate Hotels currently owns and operates 33 U.S. and U.K. properties with four additional properties in various stages of development. The brand most recently opened a property in Palo Alto, Calif., and announced forthcoming properties in Princeton, NJ; Austin, Texas; and Auburn, Alabama.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
