Stuart Newman

Founder

Since he founded Stuart Newman Associates in 1946 after returning from service in the Army Air Corps in World War II, until his passing in March 2019, Stuart Newman’s personality and values imbued this agency. Even at age 96, Stuart remained active in the operations and financial side of the business, leaving the day-to-day client service to others. An inveterate and indefatigable traveler, he truly enjoyed exploring the world, meeting new people, trying new cuisines and, especially, savoring fine wines.

Read more about Stuart’s life here.

Andy Newman

President

Andy is past PR Committee chair for the Visit Florida tourism promotion organization and is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Outdoor Writers of America. He was managing editor of the daily University of Florida newspaper, a news editor for the “Miami Beach Sun Reporter,” a photojournalist for United Press International and spent three years with Miami’s NBC television affiliate, WTVJ.

Buck Banks

Senior Vice President

Buck has extensive experience as a writer and editor of magazines, business publications and newspapers, among them the in-flight magazines of USAir and United Airlines. He covered the retail and wholesale travel industry for eight years as an associate editor and cruise editor at ASTA Agency Management magazine — the monthly business publication of the American Society of Travel Advisors. He is responsible for quality control of all agency editorial products and is a member of the American Copy Editors Society.

Julie Ellis

Vice President

Julie joined the cruise industry in 1996 and has both shipboard and shoreside experience. Responsibilities include writing press releases and marketing copy, managing social media and blogs, crafting social media content, organizing and hosting press trips, pitching and fulfilling media requests. Prior to joining NewmanPR, she served as public relations manager for Cunard Line where she spearheaded the media effort for the launch of Queen Mary 2. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

Lauren Sanchez

Account Executive

Lauren is the account lead for Costa Cruises North America and also supports the Holland America Line account. Her roles include compiling media coverage reports, writing social media and blog content, planning and executing special events, hosting media editorial trips and writing press materials. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University.

Carol Shaughnessy

Senior Account Executive

Carol resides in Key West and handles daily activities for the agency’s longest ongoing account — the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council. She has more than 20 years’ experience writing about and publicizing tourism, entertainment and special events. She wrote the nonfiction book “Diving into Glory,” and co-directs the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition with Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter, author Lorian Hemingway.

Laura Myers

Account Executive

Laura is account executive for the Florida Keys & Key West, with responsibilities of executing media coverage, promotions and press trips for the destination. She is a seasoned journalist with experience in travel trade and cruise magazines, newspapers and television. Laura has lived bicoastal in greater Seattle and Key West, working for Reuters and other media outlets, covering daily breaking news and features. Laura belongs to and Society of American Travel Writers and is a former member of SKAL International Miami and Seattle. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Louisiana State University and an editing certificate from University of Washington.

Ashley Serrate

Media Relations Manager

Ashley, media relations manager for the Florida Keys & Key West, is a media professional with both in-house and agency public relations experience. Prior to joining NewmanPR, she implemented PR campaigns for various hospitality clients and has also served as the PR representative for Jungle Island, one of South Florida’s longest running attractions. She coordinates individual and group media trips, facilitates media requests and writes press materials. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida International University.

Sydney Cook

Media Relations Manager

Sydney responds to media inquiries and develops relationships with media outlets, coordinates individual and group media trips, prepares press releases for distribution and manages the Florida Keys & Key West media site. She also writes and disseminates content about the Florida Keys & Key West and its attractions. Sydney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Nova Southeastern University.

Julie Botteri

Account Representative

Julie lives in Marathon, Florida, and handles agency activities for the Upper and Middle Keys regions for the Florida Keys & Key West account and serves as Web editor for the official site of the tourism council, www.fla-keys.com. An experienced diver and seasoned freelance writer, she has published articles in cruise, adventure travel and lifestyle magazines, as well as authored two travel career guidebooks.

Sandy Campbell

Accountant

Sandy has more than 20 years of accounting experience and has been with the agency since 2010. She coordinates billing and frequently interfaces with the fiscal operations personnel within the client organizations. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Florida International University.