FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newport News Tourism Development Office Hires New Media Relations Manager

Rebecca Myers Cutchins recently joined the Newport News Tourism Development Office as its Media Relations Manager.

Rebecca M. Cutchins

Rebecca Myers Cutchins recently joined the Newport News Tourism Development Office as its Media Relations Manager, replacing Suzanne Pearson who retired last month after 15 years of service.

In her new role, Cutchins will be responsible for executing publicity efforts that promote Newport News as a preferred destination for tourists, conventions, and tour groups. She will write media releases for distribution to local, regional, state, and national media outlets; conduct familiarization tours for visiting travel writers; and attend media marketplaces where PR professionals meet with journalists seeking travel-related story ideas. Cutchins will also work on the production of the city’s annual Visitor Guide and be responsible for compiling event calendars, newsletters, brochures, and other promotional materials used in the city’s tourism sales and marketing efforts.

Cutchins graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. She has a B.A. degree in Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. Prior to accepting this position, Cutchins worked in the fields of journalism and public relations. Most recently, she served 10 years as the media relations manager for the Portsmouth Convention & Visitors Bureau. Prior to that, she was a writer with the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.

Cutchins lives with her husband, Ron, and two daughters in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake, Va. She joined the Newport News Tourism Development Office in City Center at Oyster Point on July 18, 2011.

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