American Airlines names ACU alumnus John R. Samuel Vice President of interactive marketing For immediate release July 21, 1999 John R. Samuel, a 1985 ACU graduate who led American Airlines into the age of electronic commerce and helped create AA.com, the largest and most popular website in the airline industry, today was named vice president of interactive marketing by American. Samuel has been American's principal executive for electronic commerce since 1996, when he was appointed to create the interactive marketing group as managing director. In addition to the AA.com website, Samuel is responsible for a growing array of electronic products, including the airline's popular Net SAAver fares, and the use of voice recognition system for providing customers information. "John has done an outstanding job of leading American into the age of electronic commerce," said Mike Gunn, the airline's senior vice president of marketing. "Through his leadership and innovation, John will keep American on top as interactive marketing plays an even greater role in our competitive success in the new century." Samuel has been with American since 1987. He joined the company in its revenue management group, holding a number of operational and strategic planning positions before being named director of revenue management development in 1993. Three years later, Samuel took charge of interactive marketing, pursuing a keen interest in technology that went all the way back to high school days in his native Tennessee. In short order, he inspired the AA.com website, which has garnered a number of recognitions. These include being ranked number one among airline sites by the Wall Street Journal's online edition, being the only airline site selected by PC Magazine for its 1998 list of "The Top 100 Websites" and being named among the top 100 intranets/extranets by Information Week magazine. Samuel received a bachelor's degree in management information systems from ACU in 1985. In 1987, he received a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago. Samuel and his wife, Jenni reside with their two children in Southlake, Texas. -- 30 -- If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@nicanor.acu.edu or call 915-674-2692. Last update: July 21, 1999 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@nicanor.acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/people/news/990721-samuel.html