Ivy Hotel Checks in to Departure for Branding, Creative Campaign Needs

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - September 11, 2008) - Departure, a hybrid advertising agency combining traditional and digital capabilities, and Ivy Hotel, a Kelly Capital Property and San Diego's premier urban resort destination, have teamed up to create branding concepts and associated campaigns that will attract new audiences and captivate its current devotees. Also home to Envy Nightclub, Eden Rooftop Lounge and Quarter Kitchen, Ivy Hotel has quickly become one of the hottest destinations within San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Departure is charged with helping to continue this momentum.

As the Ivy approaches its one-year anniversary, its owners and management sought out a creative partner who could provide exceptional ingenuity and a thorough knowledge of the hospitality industry. Departure exceeded the criteria.

"Of all the agencies we reviewed, Departure showed the strongest gut understanding of what makes our businesses unique," said Louise Kelly, vice president and co-owner of Ivy Hotel. "This understanding was coupled with keen insights as to what truly drives a luxury brand in today's market. We knew Departure was the right match for us."

Departure's branding efforts will include both general consumer and business-to-business programs targeting potential guests from San Diego to Orange County and Los Angeles to New York, as well as discriminating travelers from everywhere in between. Departure will give a fresh look to the Ivy's profile as not only an up-and-coming luxury brand, but a must visit destination for anyone who craves a new hospitality experience with lavish guest rooms, sophisticated entertainment venues and stimulating programs, along with impeccable service.

Departure Principal, Emily Rex, sums it up this way: "The Ivy Hotel has built up quite a mystique in a relatively short time, and in the process has become San Diego's top luxury hotel brand. We're pleased that Ivy has selected us to help them take this foundation to new markets and even greater heights."

About Departure

Departure is a new-breed advertising agency that provides ambitious brands the power to confidently embrace new media, new technologies, new marketing concepts and new ways of making sense of the changing reality of the communication market. The agency offers a full range of capabilities, encompassing both traditional and online outlets.

With offices in San Diego and Los Angeles, Departure is focused on clients in the technology, restaurant and hospitality, financial, tourism and media entertainment industries. For more information on Departure, please visit www.departureadvertising.com.

About Ivy Hotel

Named one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast, Ivy Hotel, is San Diego's premier urban resort destination for first-class service, sophistication and luxury. The property features 159 guest rooms including 17 suites, the Quarter Kitchen restaurant, the four-level Envy nightclub and Eden, a sultry rooftop bar, pool and sundeck. The hotel is a Kelly Capital Property. For more information, visit www.ivyhotel.com or www.kellycapital.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Emily Rex 619.326.0288 x362 emily.rex@departureadvertising.com