Tourism expands marketing department

The Nevada Commission on Tourism has expanded its marketing department with three new positions, according to Director Tim Maland.

"The Commission on Tourism is the primary marketing agency for the state of Nevada, so we are strengthening our marketing department with more Internet and advertising expertise," Maland said in a press release. "Our current 'icons' ad campaign has already garnered more than 30 awards, and we are fortunate that we were able to recruit such high-caliber professionals to push the bar even higher."

Nicole Purviance, formerly with DRGM Advertising in Reno, which is the commission agency of record in advertising, was hired in early July as marketing manager and is planning the commission's annual Governor's Conference on Tourism.

Purviance worked on the commission's account while at DRGM and has more than six years of advertising experience working with a variety of clients from the Reno-Tahoe Open to the National Automobile Museum. She earned a Bachelor of Art degree in journalism and communication at the University of Oregon and worked as assignment editor and cyber journalist at KRNV-TV in Reno before venturing into advertising.

Ryan Jerz, of Reno, joins the tourism commission in the newly created position of copywriter. He received his master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, in interactive journalism and has worked in production at KNPB in Reno, contributing to such shows as "Wild Nevada," "In Depth with Erin Breen" and "Capitol Issues." He will be writing copy for the commission's brochures, publications and Web site, www.travelnevada.com. He is a graduate of Elko High School and has lived in Nevada for 20 years.

The Nevada Commission on Tourism recently unveiled its new Web site and has hired Anthony Marcin as Web master to oversee the content and functionality of the site. Marcin most recently worked as senior policy adviser for Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, tourism commission chairman, and also served as director of information services for Krolicki when he was state treasurer.

He also worked in news production at KRNV-TV in Reno and Carson Access Television in Carson City. A native Nevadan, Marcin attended Carson City High School and Western Nevada College and earned his bachelor of science degree in information technology from the University of Phoenix in Reno.

The commission recently restructured its departments and promoted employees within the agency as well as added these new positions to the marketing department.

A new emphasis on Internet marketing will enable the commission to more effectively reach potential visitors and increase tourism to Nevada. For more information, visit www.travelnevada.com.