The C&R Story
An award-winning PR agency with an increasingly global footprint, C&R develops comprehensive campaigns that deliver high-impact messages and secure premium media accolades.
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Our Team
Spencer Castillo
Co-Founder
A leading authority on luxury real estate PR, San Diego native Spencer built a career working at some of the best agencies in the country and leading a variety of different campaigns—from blue-chip brands to real estate and hospitality—before co-founding C&R in 2009. Over his 14-plus years of experience, he has been instrumental in representing more than 50 real estate ventures throughout the U.S. and Mexico, contributing to more than $750 million in sales volume. He has also represented hospitality projects the globe over, and has the passport to prove it – having traveled all over Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa. When he’s not strategizing with clients or conceptualizing a new campaign, Spencer can be found spending time with his family, catching a live show or a Clippers game, or out on the golf course for a quick 9.
Pieter Ruig
Co-Founder
Having spent his formative years spanning three continents, it’s little surprise that Pieter would gravitate toward a career that keeps him always on the move and discovering new places. As co-founder of C&R, he has managed public relations campaigns for globally recognized luxury travel, golf and resort real estate projects. He’s also launched and led projects in Tokyo, Florence, Shanghai, and throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Pieter’s expertise in international properties underscores a keen understanding of the global customer and an awareness of the often-subtle differences in individual media markets. While Pieter is a bonafide globetrotter, having been to over 50 countries and counting, he’s perfectly content these days staying local in L.A. with his family – hosting barbeques, going to the Farmer’s Market on Larchmont, and walking their English Bulldog, Gracie.
Pieter Ruig
Co-Founder
Having spent his formative years spanning three continents, it’s little surprise that Pieter would gravitate toward a career that keeps him always on the move and discovering new places. As co-founder of C&R, he has managed public relations campaigns for globally recognized luxury travel, golf and resort real estate projects. He’s also launched and led projects in Tokyo, Florence, Shanghai, and throughout the U.S. and Mexico Pieter’s expertise in international properties underscores a keen understanding of the global customer and an awareness of the often-subtle differences in individual media markets. While Pieter is a bonafide globetrotter, having been to over 50 countries and counting, he’s perfectly content these days staying local in L.A. with his family – hosting barbeques, going to the Farmer’s Market on Larchmont, and walking their English Bulldog, Gracie.
Bruce Wallin
Chief Content Officer
As the longtime editorial director and resident travel expert at Robb Report, Bruce has covered everything from adventure lodges in Patagonia to private islands in Fiji. His passion for travel (he also founded Trip magazine back in the 1990s) comes through in every print, digital, social, and video project he produces. With the launch of C&R Content, he hopes to bring that energy and expertise to C&R’s clients—and have some new adventures along the way.
Emily Venugopal
Vice President
Emily Venugopal is a seasoned PR professional specializing in the luxury, lifestyle & travel sectors. With over 20 years of experience at London, Miami and NYC's finest PR agencies, as well as in house as The Director of Public Relations at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York, Emily is well experienced at hotel openings including: La Mamounia, Marrakech; Park Hyatt New York; The Chatwal New York; Andaz Peninsula Papagayo; and The Waikiki EDITION. Emily is well versed in scoping out partnerships and collaborations for her clients in order to differentiate and increase sales and awareness.
Linett Nardone
Vice President of Operations
With over 15 years of global operations experience, Linett has been instrumental in overhauling systems to create and streamline processes. From developing asset management systems, managing branding campaigns, and launching new offices, she has been a key player in identifying the needs to support strategic initiatives for organizational growth.
Ali Stanley Ostridge
Account Director
Ali discovered her passion for hospitality PR when she realized it encompassed everything she loved: destination travel, tackling new challenges and meeting really amazing people. In her director role at C&R, she splits her time between client services and growing the agency. When she’s not working, you’ll find her posted up at A.O.C. enjoying a French varietal – and likely planning her next trip.
Meredith Strodel
Account Director
10-plus years of experience working with top-tier PR and media clients based everywhere from the Middle East to Europe and Mexico has found this Hunter College grad and former New Yorker at the top of her game. In her current role, Meredith leads strategic media campaigns for many of C&R’s hospitality clients. Oh, and did we mention she also runs an Instagram account dedicated to hammocks? Yep, check out @hammockliving.
Kelsey Harrington
Account Supervisor
A San Diego native and longtime traveler, Kelsey excels at tapping into trends, driving conversations and sparking media interest in her clients. Career-wise, the former Loyola Marymount soccer star hit the ground running, building strong relationships with editors at top-tier publications from the get-go and even landing one client a coveted feature on the TODAY Show.
Sara Swiger
Account Supervisor
A world traveler who spent some of her earliest years in Taiwan and has trekked across Eastern European countries solo, Sara knew a career in travel was in the cards for her. Now a media maverick who cultivates close relationships with the industry’s best editors, Sara loves scooping her contacts on an enviable resort and real estate roster, from properties in Scottsdale to Los Cabos.
Ellie Barnes
Senior Account Executive
After graduating from Loyola Marymount, Ellie immediately landed a job in fashion PR, made her mark, then segued into hospitality – where she really hit her stride. Passionate about travel and experiencing new places, Ellie represents her hospitality clients at C&R with ingenuity and endless enthusiasm. Her favorite work perk? Travel, naturally.
Chrissy Bruchey
Senior Account Executive
A Maryland native, Chrissy brings not only her east coast flair to C&R, but adaptability, strategic thinking, and endless amounts of positivity. Having worked with various internationally recognized properties and brands, Chrissy loves exploring cultures and far flung destinations – Bali, anyone? Her expertise? Tackling client’s KPIs and building her personal portfolio of frame-worthy media placements. When not at work, you can find her cheering on the Dawgs or beach cruising through Venice.
Claire Marshall
Senior Account Executive
An architecture aficionado well versed in journalism, PR and urban studies, Claire excels as an expert in all things media—from pitching to press releases to drafting client reports. A true people person who loves getting to know both her clients and those reporting on them, Claire relishes her role working on a number of the agency’s real estate accounts.
Madelyn Burkhart
Account Executive
Madelyn cemented her love for traveling at a very young age exploring the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, UK, and Africa. After college, she moved to Los Angeles where her career in PR led her to represent top luxury resorts, a river cruise line, architects, and destinations. Off the clock, you can find her on the eastside plotting her next trip to France (she goes every year!) because rester, c’est exister, mais voyager, c’est vivre.
Tatia Pacey
Account Executive
Growing up in hotels for most of her life, Tatia knows the ins and outs of the hospitality industry. Having lived in Singapore, Bali, Taipei, Manila, New Delhi, Seoul, and Los Angeles, she brings a unique global mindset to her role at C&R. Her expertise includes creative design and securing strategic partnerships, among others and when she is not in the office, she is on the look out for the next best coffee shop or at her favorite boxing studio, CruBox.
Alexandra West
Account Coordinator
Alix comes from the world of fashion, working with high-end designers including Chanel and Tory Burch. Prior to graduating from USC (go Trojans!), Alix also studied abroad at the London School of Economics, University of St. Andrews in Scotland and the American University of Paris; so, it is safe to say travel is in her blood. Her can-do attitude, deadline-driven spirit and contagious smile makes her a C&R favorite of both media and clients.
Annie Miller
Account Coordinator
Annie stepped into the hospitality PR world in 2015 interning at C&R, where she quickly found her passion for travel and gained an integral role on the team. As an Account Coordinator, Annie enthusiastically supports day-to-day media/ client relations, reporting and measurement for a range of notable luxury brands including Four Seasons, Montage and Banyan Tree.
Awards
The work we do on behalf of our clients reflects our highly personal, results-oriented and relationship-driven approach. We are honored to be recognized.
Inc. 5000
Named one of America’s Fastest-growing Private Companies in 2018
PRSA LOS ANGELES PRISM AWARD
Client: Gary Player
Category: Sports Athlete
Submission: Gary Player Campaign A Global Business Icon at 78
LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL TOP PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS
Category: Los Angeles Business Journal Top Public Relations Firms 2014 – 2018
2015 HSMAI ADRIAN AWARDS WINNER
Client: Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
Category: New Opening/Launch
Los Angeles
2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, #217
Santa Monica, CA 90405
T. 310.664.8844
New York
135 Madison Avenue, 8th floor
New York, NY 10016
T. 646.897.1965
