Paradise Advertising

Paradise had a very exciting night at the Flagler Awards! We are thrilled to announce that our agency brought home four Flagler Awards for our work done on behalf of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades - Paradise Coast :

🏆 We proudly received two Henry Awards in the categories of Print and Out of Home.
🥈 A Silver in the Niche Marketing category for ¡ARTE VIVA! A Celebration of Hispanic Arts & Culture.
🥉 A Bronze in Mixed Media for the “Only Paradise will do” campaign.

Everything we do is a reflection of the amazing collaboration among our client teams and our own talented creative, media, public relations, content, account management, project, and operations teams. Representing Paradise at the awards were President Rudy Webb, Co-Owners Barbara and Tony Karasek, Chief Communications Officer Cris Duschek, Public Relations and Influential Communications VP Tara Tufo, and VP, Integrated Media, Cyndy Murrieta.

Happy International Dog Day! 🐾 We will take any opportunity to show off our favorite furry family members and co-workers, so here are a few of our team's adorable and very demure pups (very mindful).

All of our clients have tourism partners that make their destinations shine. Whether it's hotels, restaurants, attractions, or experiences, we love telling visitors how they're an integral part of that destination.

For Hendersonville, North Carolina, we're taking that gratitude a step further. In keeping with the unique "Gratitude at Altitude" brand platform we created for this wonderful destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains, our new coop ads are helping tell that story. Each partner becomes part of a fictional visitor's Gratitude Journal, where together they help tell the story of an unforgettable visit to Hendersonville.

Paradise Good Days: Meet Sierra, and learn how she gives back to her community.

For the past few years, I’ve helped feed the community through Church outreach in Pasco County, providing homemade meals, clothing, and hygiene items during the holidays. It feels special to provide for others without expecting anything in return. I remember my first year volunteering; even on a cold day, I felt warm inside knowing we were helping those in need.

My teenage niece lives with me, and I want to show her the importance of helping others. I’ve taken her along to understand the value of giving back, inspired by our Church’s leadership and support. In the future, I would love to work with an organization that offers housing, food, and support to help the less fortunate get back on their feet, including assistance for their pets.

Thank you, Sierra, for your commitment to making the world brighter! 💙

Paradise is on the hunt for two new Partners for Good! 🌟

We're hiring for:

1️⃣ Project Manager - Are you detail-oriented and thrive in a fast-paced environment? We need your expertise to bring our campaigns to life.

2️⃣ Sr. Social Media Manager - If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for creative storytelling, this role is for you.

Visit our website to apply! https://paradiseadv.com/careers/

On National Relaxation Day, there’s nowhere better to let your worries drift away than with our client partner, Relax in Navarre Beach, Florida's Most Relaxing Place.

Paradise People | Meet: Justin
Account Executive
🏌️Golfer | 🥘 Foodie | 🥁Drummer
📍Miami, FL

Justin is a lifelong Miami, Florida resident who earned an MBA in Marketing from Barry University. He began his career at a major advertising agency in Ft. Lauderdale. Passionate about golf and drumming, he also loves traveling and exploring new foodie hot spots. His outgoing nature and love for meeting new people help him excel in client interactions.

Justin's version of Paradise: Paradise to me is being around the people I enjoy being around the most. It’s filled with fun, travel, good food and relaxation. You have to make the most of every moment.

🚨 Exciting News! 🚨 We’re thrilled to welcome Scott Emener as our new VP of Corporate Development at Paradise! After six years as a consultant, Scott brings 25+ years of experience in finance and operations, focusing on digital and martech leadership.

Based in Lizella, Georgia, Scott is a proud father and active community member. He’s passionate about helping clients and making a positive impact.

Join us in welcoming him to the Paradise team! 👋

Unlock the secrets of partner engagement with our latest thought leadership! Kristen Murphy, VP of Partner Development
& Client Services, explains how understanding and influencing partner relationships can elevate your brand's success.

Check it out now! 👇

Understanding & Influencing Partner Engagement : Paradise Advertising Key findings and actionable recommendations from the results of 2k+ DMO partner surveys nationwide By Kristen Murphy I love to read, but over the years my oldie-but-goodie reference is still Stephen R. Covey’s timeless book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In business, as in personal life...

Paradise Good Days: Barbara

Barbara's journey in community service is nothing short of inspiring! From volunteering at the Special Olympics to helping rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, her compassionate heart drives her to make a difference. Inspired by leaders like Kristin Keen of Rethreaded, Barbara continues to impact lives, spreading kindness and hope wherever she goes.

Learn more about Rethreaded and their cause: https://rethreaded.com/about-us/

Celebrating 13 incredible years with Kristen Murphy! 🌟

Our VP of Partner Development & Client Services, Kristen is a true ray of sunshine, bringing warmth and brilliance to everything she does. Her tireless planning has been a guiding light for Paradise. Thank you, Kristen, for your dedication and passion! Here's to many more years of success together. 🌴✨

Paradise People | Meet: Joanna
Group Director (Mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend are also valued titles) 💙
📍Gladstone, MI

I grew up in Escanaba, a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which sits at the top of Lake Michigan, surrounded by water and woods with miles of freshwater coastline and trails. Embracing each season, I believe that with the right gear, you can make any weather enjoyable.

I believe in allowing the power of ‘why not’ to guide my life. As a result, I have been very fortunate to have worked and traveled throughout North America and beyond with so many talented people. The same credo is why I love marketing and advertising—it gives me the opportunity to build connections through well-defined brands. I've worked with a lot of iconic brands throughout my career including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney On Ice, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Pure Michigan. It all began with me and a clown - in a car (a minivan, rather than a clown car) cris-crossing the U.S. - so glad I said "Why not!" I hope I pass on the power of possibility to my boys and that it can lead them to a life that exceeds anything they could have imagined.

Last week was unforgettable for Team Paradise! Our client appreciation breakfast at Hotel Haya with Adara, Audacy, NBCUniversal, and many members of our team, as well as our flashes of brilliance presentation, made the Destinations International Annual Conference truly special. Meeting so many inspiring industry professionals was a highlight.

A special thank you to Visit Tampa Bay for the wonderful hospitality!

We are delighted to share that Barbara Emener Karasek, Paradise CEO and Co-Owner, has been appointed to the Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees. This appointment follows the recent joint Board of Trustees meeting at the Destinations International Annual Convention in Tampa.

“On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Destinations International Foundation, I am delighted to welcome Barbara to the Board of Trustees,” said Amir Eylon, President & CEO Longwoods International and Destinations International Foundation Chair-Elect. “We look forward to having her passion and commitment added to the roster of dedicated Trustees in our quest to help spread the word about the important work of the Foundation as well as assist in our fundraising efforts to help ensure that the resources exist to undertake critical industry projects in advocacy, research, workforce, and inclusion, among many others.”

Last week, members of Team Paradise embarked on an unforgettable immersion trip to get acquainted with our newest client partner, Florida's Sports Coast! From exploring the iconic historical stilt house off the coast to experiencing the thrill of tree climbing, it was an adventure-filled journey.

We're excited to share this vibrant and exhilarating destination with all of you!

In the latest thought leadership, Tara and Alex dive into the vibrant world of swim clubs, neon fashion, and whipped sunscreen. Learn how to make brand collaborations a splash! 🌟

Swim Clubs, Neon Fashion, and Whipped Sunscreen Magic: How to Make Brand Partnerships Work for You : Paradise Advertising By Tara Tufo and Alex Hurley At Paradise, we love collaborating with brands to amplify their unique personas. And of course we love chic hotels, swim clubs, trendy sunscreen and good music. It’s often the most unexpected brand partnerships that serve as the secret sauce, propelling companies to ne...

🚨Summer Intern Alert! 🚨

Meet Abigail Gibbs, a senior at the University of South Florida. Abby is pursuing two degrees, one in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising and another in Communications. As the Public Relations and Influential Communications Intern at Paradise this summer, she looks forward to exploring these areas as she learns along the way. Already, she has made great strides in the PR field.

☕️ She also loves all things coffee, exploring new places, and trying to beat her New York Times Mini crossword record time.

Meet Natalie from our Media Team! She volunteers 2-3 times a month with A Special Wish Foundation, delivering meals to families with children in Cleveland's hospitals. Her motivation? Bringing a bit of brightness to their days. ☀️

Inspired by a high school mission trip to Nicaragua and volunteer work in Thailand and Tanzania, Natalie loves helping others while exploring new cultures. Her dream? To continue supporting children in need locally and globally.

Thank you, Natalie, for your dedication and inspiring service! 🌟👏

Let's have a kiki! Paradise is delighted to celebrate Pride with our community! 🏳️‍🌈 As a partner for good, we're committed to making a positive impact. 🫶

We invite you to Hotel Haya's Pride Never Ends Dance Workshops & Kiki Ball on June 29th in Tampa! Join us for a day of vibrant dance workshops and a fabulous Kiki Ball. ✨

Don't miss it! 💃🏻🕺https://hotelhaya.com/events/pride-never-ends-dance-workshop-and-kiki-ball/

We’re thrilled to share our latest creative project with Franklin County!

They came to us seeking a dynamic rebrand, and our Creative Team was more than up to the task.

The result? A fresh, authentic design that honors the brand’s history and perfectly captures the essence of Franklin County.

This Juneteenth, Paradise reaffirms its dedication to social inclusion. By fostering safe spaces, amplifying underrepresented voices, and promoting diversity, we honor the legacy of emancipation in our commitment to being a Partner for Good.

Big announcement! 🌟 We're thrilled to share that Paradise has been tapped as the agency of record for Pasco County, Florida's Sports Coast!

Get ready to discover the ultimate destination for sports and adventure! https://paradiseadv.com/floridas-sports-coast-selects-paradise-for-tourism-marketing-services/

Paradise People | Meet: Alex
Director of PR & Influential Communications
📍Las Vegas, NV

A West Virginia native from the small town of Huntington, I chased my dreams to the University of Kentucky (Go Wildcats!) to obtain a degree in Strategic PR. This journey led me to the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas, where I played a pivotal role in the grand opening of the first ground-up resort in DTLV in more than 40 years! 🎉

Further pursuing my passion for PR, I obtained a Master’s in Strategic PR & Public Affairs from George Washington University, soon after joining the Paradise team. When I’m not crafting PR strategies for our clients, you’ll find me soaking up the sun on beaches from California’s rocky coast to Florida’s Gulf, especially in Naples, where I love visiting our wonderful client at LaPlaya & Inn on Fifth— my personal slice of heaven.

In partnership with Tourism Academy, we're thrilled to announce that our CEO, Barbara Karasek, has been selected to speak at Destinations International! 🎤✨

Join us as Barbara dives into the evolution from traditional EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) to a broader focus on Social Inclusion. Discover why this shift is crucial, how it will unfold, and the innovative tools being crafted to help organizations and destinations become socially inclusive by 2030. 🌍🤝

The Company You Keep: Tourism Academy Collaborators Selected to Speak At Destinations International Discover the insightful lineup of speakers from Tourism Academy heading to Destinations International Conference in Tampa. Learn about talent retention, LGBTQ+ marketing, destination stewardship, workforce development, and more.

Tara just returned from an incredible PRSA Travel & Tourism 2024 Section Conference in South Carolina! She connected with top media and professional development experts, even a top chef, to navigate the ever-changing media and PR landscape. Plus, she got to see our fantastic client partner, Jemelle Holopirek from Visit Wichita. 🌟

Chief Creative Officer Tom Merrick delves into the man vs. machine debate, sharing insights and a poetic showdown with ChatGPT.

Explore his take on the rise of AI in the creative industry:

Man vs. Machine : Paradise Advertising A CD takes on AI in an epic 17-syllable battle. by Tom MerrickChief Creative Officer, Paradise I’m what you’d call an old-skool Ad Man. A writer and creative director who absolutely LOVES the craft of advertising and the power of creativity to inspire, entertain, inform and persuade. To me, a go...

A round of applause for our fantastic Account Executive, Sarah Cooley, on earning her MBA! Your commitment and hard work are truly commendable. We’re proud to have you on Team Paradise and excited to see what you accomplish next! 🌟🥳