Originally Posted by socrates

I can assure you the brand made the decision to participate in MR - not anyone else, there was no reluctancy...additionally the family didn't purchase RZ MI did....once MI purchased the remaining shares they did not own (this was back in '98) the decision was made to continue running the brand as a separate organization with the current management team...around 2000 the decision was made to go a different direction and you'll notice changes bringing the brand into the fold...since this time the brand has been run as a brand, not a subsidiary/separate company...all brands decide their future...while at one time MI felt it was best to keep Marriott's name as far away as possible from the brand today they are seeing value in associating the two (consumer preferences change and brands need to adapt)

Just an FYI - Bill has been directly responsible for strategy and associates for gosh the 10 years before he moved into his current role....brand management reported to the COO not the CEO