MIAMI -- Two key marketing executives left Norwegian Cruise Line a
month after new president and chief executive officer Colin Veitch
took over management of the company.
Leaving were Jackie Johnson, vice president of travel industry
affairs, and Nina Cohen, vice president of marketing.
Johnson, a well-known executive who joined the company in 1980,
represented NCL with trade organizations and made frequent
appearances on behalf of the cruise line at trade meetings.
Cohen, who joined NCL in 1997, was responsible for introducing
NCL's current advertising campaign, "The Norwegian Way."
At press time, NCL had not announced the changes but confirmed
the executives had left.
The company said there was no change in its advertising agency,
Young & Rubicam of Chicago.
In another management change, Svenn Dahl, executive vice
president of cruise operations, announced his retirement, according
to NCL.
The departures follow the resignation of Art Sbarsky as
executive vice president in January, before Star Cruises took over
NCL's ownership and management.
On Feb. 8, Star put in its own board to head NCL Holding ASA,
the Oslo, Norway-based parent of NCL, and the board named Veitch as
chief executive officer.
Veitch previously had been with Princess Cruises as senior vice
president, marketing and corporate development.
At press time, NCL had not announced replacements for any of the
three marketing executives who left the company.
Andy Stuart, senior vice president of sales, is handling
Sbarsky's functions, according to NCL.
Ursula Schleider, director of marketing services, is handling
Cohen's duties, the company said.
Another key marketing executive is Shawn Tubman, vice president
of field sales.
With NCL's new management, questions have arisen about whether
the company will continue its present campaign and positioning as a
Norwegian company.
Industry marketers said there was no intrinsic reason the line
should make a change in its identity just because it is under new
management.
They said the line's historic identification with Norway since
its founding in 1966 was still viable.
In addition, they said, "re-imaging" the company would be
extremely expensive.