strength clare: RVIA Communications Director Morrison Retiring

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

RVIA Communications Director Morrison Retiring | RV Business

Chris Morrison

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) announced that Christine Morrison, senior director of marketing communications, will retire on March 31 after a 26-year career in the RV industry.

?Chris has been a mainstay for more than two decades on our marketing and communications team,? said RVIA President Richard Coon. ?Never one to crave the spotlight, she has provided solid leadership and management of our industry?s consumer outreach efforts, and her contributions have positioned the industry for continued success moving forward. I know I speak on behalf of the leadership across our industry in wishing Chris the best in retirement and in thanking her for all she has done to help our industry shine. ?

B.J. Thompson, president of B.J. Thompson Associates Inc. and chairman of RVIA?s Public Relations Committee, added, ?In addition to being very thoughtful and intelligent, Chris is a terrific public relations professional. Her many contributions to the RVIA and Go RVing?s public relations programs have played a significant role in enhancing the image of RVs and the RV industry. I?ve loved working with her since she joined RVIA and will miss her.?

Morrison has overseen public and media relations for RVIA since October 1985 and the efforts of the all-industry Go RVing program since 1996. In managing RVIA staff and agency efforts on a daily basis, she has worked to promote RV travel to the public through print, television, radio and on-line media publicity and paid advertising. Her work has been instrumental in generating a dramatically higher profile for RV travel and camping and in expanding the young, family RV market.

Most recently, she played a key role in the development and production of Go RVing?s new ?AWAY? campaign, which launches in late February. Featuring four print ads, three television commercials, four digital ads and a new website with innovative user tools, this will be Go RVing?s first all-new campaign since 2005. ?AWAY? returns to the emotion-driven family focus of past campaigns along with a continued emphasis on the affordability and accessibility of the RV lifestyle.

?Chris deserves a tremendous amount of credit for RVIA?s and Go RVing?s marketing and public relations success. Over the past year, I?ve relied heavily on her as we made changes to the team?s promotional approach, as well as during the creative and production process of the new ?AWAY? campaign,? said RVIA Vice President of Public Relations and Advertising James Ashurst. ?Her knowledge and counsel have proved invaluable, as she is a terrific asset to me, the team and the industry. I?m sad to see her leave, but happy she has the opportunity to retire to spend more time with family and friends. I join with her colleagues in wishing Chris all the best in everything she does.?

?I?ll certainly miss the challenge and fulfillment of working with RVIA?s PR and advertising team, but I?ve got a long list of personal projects and goals to keep me busy: volunteering at my son?s school, gardening, fixing up our house and making music with friends, ? said Morrison. ?It?s been a privilege and a joy to have played a part in building a marketing communications program that?s so unique in the association world, thanks to this industry?s strong support. I?m very grateful for my years in the RV industry and confident that more success lies ahead for all my friends and colleagues.?