WICHITA, Kan., April 12, 1999 — Candlewood Hotel Company Inc. — owner and operator of Candlewood Suites — has awarded C. Russell & Company (CRC) its national public relations account. CRC will develop strategic media relations and other communication programs for the rapidly growing company.

Candlewood was co-founded four years ago by veteran hotel entrepreneur Jack DeBoer with Doubletree Hotel Corp. (now Promus Hotel Corp.). DeBoer founded the country's first

Extended-stay hotel chain — Residence Inn —later sold to Marriott, and co-founded Summerfield Suites. Candlewood Suites targets mid-market, extended-stay business travelers. Room rates range from $55 to $95 for studio suites and $75 to $115 for one-bedroom suites, depending on market location and length of stay. A total of 68 hotels are now open, with eight more under construction.

"CRC proved itself to us earlier this year when they produced a first-class business travel seminar for Candlewood in Dallas," said David Redfern, Candlewood vice president - Sales and Marketing. "We were impressed with everything they did for the event, and we wanted more.

That positive experience, along with Carolyn Russell's extensive background in public and media relations, made it an easy decision," he added.

CRC principal Carolyn Russell, APR, is an accomplished public relations executive with nearly 20 years experience in corporate communication with Beech (now Raytheon) Aircraft, Boeing, and Brite Voice Systems. She founded C. Russell & Company two years ago.

CRC serves clients in business, travel, technology, telecommunications, aerospace and defense industries. The firm's specialties include corporate and employee communication, public and media relations, issues management, corporate identity, special events and meeting planning, and community relations. Communication programs are designed to change the behaviors of various audiences important to the client, persuading them — either directly or indirectly — to buy a product, support a cause, invest in the company and so on.

Accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, Russell is a member of PRSA's Counselor's Academy and serves on the national executive committee for PRSA's technology section. She also is a member of Meeting Planners International and the National Business Travelers Association..

Carolyn Russell
Principal
316-636-2224
C. Russell & Company