Why This Founder Believes Every Hotel Should Think Like a Media Company

On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Brandon Berkson, founder of Hotels Above Par, a boutique publication reaching more than half a million readers, as well as the creator of Mexzine. Brandon shares how getting furloughed during the pandemic led him to launch the brand, why his background in hotel PR gave him an unexpected advantage, and what he would do differently if he were building a media company from scratch today.

They also explore why newsletters may be one of the most valuable tools hospitality brands can invest in, how to turn social media followers into an audience you actually own, and why finding a specific niche can be more powerful than trying to appeal to everyone. Brandon also explains why likes matter far less than shares and conversations—and how listening to those signals can help brands create content people actually want to consume.

Plus, Katie and Brandon discuss the resurgence of print and in-person experiences, the difference between an audience and a true community, and why responding to a single DM or email can be one of the most powerful ways to build long-term brand loyalty.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to Suite Success

00:37 Meet Brandon Berkson

01:13 Bellboy Beginnings

03:33 Wild Hotel Stories

05:06 From PR to Founder

07:40 Hotels Above Par Explained