An Influential Pick

Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western International, has been named the 27th most influential CMO in the world in the Forbes/Appinion CMO Influence Study.

The third annual study evaluates the highest-ranking marketing officers from the Forbes Global 500 Largest Companies list. The honorees include individuals from top global brands, including Apple, Ralph Lauren and General Motors. Dowling is one of just two hotel marketing leaders on this year’s list.

Commenting on the recognition, Dowling said: “It is a significant honour to be named to a group of such accomplished marketers and thought leaders from brands that I respect. We have been able to achieve much at Best Western because of our commitment to listening to, and learning from, our customers, partners and colleagues.”

Dowling joined Best Western in 2004 and during her tenure she has re-energized the Best Western Rewards loyalty program, grown the brand’s market share and undertaken several groundbreaking initiatives, especially in the digital space with the award-winning http://www.bestwestern.com and integrations with TripAdvisor and Google Maps Business View.

Best Western president & CEO, David Kong said that Dowling “is smart, hardworking and genuine. She is a tremendous asset that has helped contemporize and unlock the potential of our 68-year-old brand through partnerships with Facebook, Disney, AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson, among others.”

Congratulations, Dorothy – you deserve it.