Social media firm specializing in hospitality opens in Atlanta

Pipeline Social Media Solutions, created by H. Keith Thompson and Brad H. Sinclair, of Hotel Assets Group, specializes in social media marketing for the hospitality industry. The firm will be under the direction and leadership of Trey Sheneman, Leslie Wilkins, and Josh Stockdale.

“Most hotels have not formed a social media marketing program and many hotels do not even have an active Facebook and Twitter profile, let alone a user-friendly blog for hotel guests,” said Trey Sheneman, executive director of client relations.

Pipeline said it believes social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are where people will go for real-time advice for travel. More than fifty percent of all hotel bookings are made online and this percentage will continue to rise.

“It is important that hotel owners hire social media professionals to not only create, but also manage their reputation on these popular platforms rather than delegating the tasks to staff who have other responsibilities,” Shenaman said.

“The key to profitable search engine optimization (SEO) is the constant push out of quality content from a blog,” said Leslie Wilkins, executive director of content. “The SEO benefits of a regularly updated blog will bring more people to a site via search engines, and the blog will serve as a virtual concierge encouraging them to come back to stay at a hotel again and again.”

Pipeline hotel blogs feature information such as local events, attractions, restaurants unique to the area, hotel specials, and guest testimonials.

“The user-friendly aspect of the hotel blog and the sense of community that the interactivity invokes will give hotel guests an experience that will resonate further than a traditional, static hotel website," said Josh Stockdale, executive director of design.