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<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n By Scott Roeben<\/a>, on June 05 2024 <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The marketing of Fontainebleau Las Vegas has been an unmitigated disaster, contributing to the resort\u2019s losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars a day.<\/p>\n
The blame would typically fall on casino marketing and advertising personnel at the resort, but in this case, it falls squarely on a guy named Peter Arnell, Chief Brand and Design Officer for Fontainebleau Development.<\/p>\n
Industry chatter is Fontainebleau is parting ways with Arnell, paving the way for marketing (including social marketing) and advertising with an actual clue. We haven\u2019t heard back yet from Fontainebleau about this rumor, but assuming it\u2019s true, it\u2019s the best news out of Fontainebleau since it opened, a glimmer of hope for the ailing Strip casino.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve been playfully poking at Fontainebleau\u2019s marketing since before the resort opened.<\/p>\n Getting information about the $3.7 billion casino was like pulling teeth. The resort chose to go for a \u201cbig reveal,\u201d a strategy that hasn\u2019t been effective since 1974.<\/p>\n Once the casino opened, it was clear the hand guiding the brand and its marketing wasn\u2019t local.<\/p>\n New York-based Peter Arnell was at one time a revered designer and branding executive. He has been involved with some of the world\u2019s biggest brands, including Chrysler, Pepsi, Reebok, Donna Karan and others.<\/p>\n Arnell has been intimately involved with Fontainebleau Las Vegas due to his longtime relationship with Jeffrey Soffer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fontainebleau Development. Here\u2019s more<\/a> about the partnership.<\/p>\n What most people don\u2019t know is Peter Arnell is universally disliked inside Fontainebleau, and has been responsible for a lot of the friction leading to executive firings and resignations. There have been a lot<\/a>.<\/p>\n The main reasons for the chaotic culture at Fontainebleau? Simply put, unrealistic expectations and meddling.<\/p>\n Recently, the toxic culture at Fontainebleau has been less toxic. Partially, because Maurice Wooden<\/a> has taken over as president. Licensing approval to be determined, but Wooden is a hands-on leader and a people person with a solid track record in the industry. Additionally, because Arnell\u2019s involvement has made a difficult task (operating a casino resort without hotel or casino databases) a virtually impossible one. As he\u2019s stepped away, things have settled a bit.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s cue card advocate Arnell (for some unknown reason) on a New Year\u2019s Eve broadcast touting Fontainebleau. We actually know the reason: Ego. But just watch. Oh, and please ignore how quiet the crowd is when legendary Paul Anka asks if they remember \u201cDiana.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/bowtie_fire2-845x563.jpg\"\/)