Innovative Travel Marketing was built on firsthand insight:
the industry needed a partner who thinks like a hotelier.
We understand the realities—occupancy swings, seasonality, sales cycles, ADR pressure, compression, the luxury sector, the need for visibility that performs, and of course, underfunded budgets.
We are a niche agency specializing in media planning and buying for hotels and travel brands. We don’t do PR or produce creative. Our focus is securing high-value placements that make every dollar count.
Since our inception, Jody Merl and the ITM team have helped hundreds of clients—from independent icons and brand-managed properties to global portfolios—connect with qualified travelers through intelligent, well-negotiated media programs. Whether you’re launching a new brand, filling gap periods, or promoting seasonal offers and F&B experiences, we bring the agility and category expertise to help you act quickly and stay ahead.
ITM’s seamless execution of hotel advertising campaigns, and long-standing relationships have made us a trusted partner for decades.
How We Turn Insight into Impact
Peerless Relationships with Media Companies
We negotiate directly with publishers and key executives on all media platforms to secure premium placements, value-added upgrades, and smarter payment models. By using trade—such as room nights—as marketing currency, we can expand or even create a media budget without increasing spend.
Hospitality Expertise that Runs Deep
We speak your language, thanks to our deep roots working inside and alongside hotel brands. Our strength lies not just in our tools—but in our business sensibility and shared responsibility to maximize every dollar spent.
Senior-Level Stewardship
At ITM, there’s no handoff to junior staff—because there aren’t any. We’re a tight-knit team of senior strategists, led by our founder Jody Merl, and we take pride in providing hands-on, personalized service to every client. That’s just one reason many of our client relationships span 10 to 20+ years.
Jody Merl
Debbie Durso
Michelle Walsh
Beth Searls
Jeanette Lu
Founder and President
Vice President, Media Director
Associate Media Director
Director, Commercial Strategy
Director of Finance
| Jody Merl | Founder & President | Debbie Durso | Vice President, Media Director | Michelle Walsh | Associate Media Director | Beth Searls | Director, Commercial Strategy | Jeanette Lu | Director of Finance |
Innovative Travel Marketing | 199 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054
973‑331‑8171 | Privacy