Marcus Hotels Press

07.01.14

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts Receives Three National Awards Recognizing The Pfister® Hotel’s 120th Anniversary Coffee Table Book and Documentary Film

Milwaukee, Wis., July 1, 2014. . . . .Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that it received a Bronze Telly Award for the documentary “The Pfister: History & Story” and two awards for the first edition hardcover book, “The History, Art & Imagery of The Pfister Hotel,” at the 2014 International Book Awards and the National Indie Excellence® Book Awards.  Both the book and the documentary were produced in 2013 to commemorate the iconic Pfister® Hotel’s 120th anniversary.

Depicting the history of the Milwaukee landmark through memories and stories of previous guests, employees, historians and notable local figures, “The Pfister: History & Story” documentary received a Bronze Award at the 35th Annual Telly Awards.  The documentary takes viewers back in time to experience the grandeur of the hotel, including its evolution since it opened its doors to the public in 1893.  Produced in conjunction with z2, located in Waukesha, Wis., the film was selected as a winner in the “Documentary” category.  Drawing more than 13,000 entries each year, the Telly Awards serve as the premier awards contest honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.

The Pfister Hotel Cover
In addition to this recognition, the coffee table book, “The History, Art & Imagery of The Pfister Hotel,” also received two awards.  Showcasing the remarkable architecture and history of the time-honored hotel, the 283-page publication was an award-winner in the “Photography” category of the 2014 International Book Awards honoring independent authors and publishers from around the world.  The hardcover book also received a Finalist Award in the “Photography” category for overall presentation and exceptional writing from the National Indie Excellence® Book Awards, recognizing self-published books across the country.

“The past year has been a very exciting time for The Pfister Hotel and for all of us at The Marcus Corporation as the grand dame hotel celebrated 120 years of luxurious accommodations and legendary service,” said Chris Anderson, senior vice president, Marcus Hotels & Resorts.  “From interactions with Elvis to serving as an integral stop on JFK’s presidential campaign, The Pfister Hotel’s legacy encompasses so many stories over its 120 years of service, all of which had yet to be memorialized for future generations until now.  Both the documentary and coffee table book help capture these momentous occasions and ensure that these stories will be told for the next 120 years to come.”

“We are incredibly honored to receive two book awards and one Telly Award for these outstanding pieces that recognize the remarkable history and overwhelming beauty of this landmark hotel. We are equally as honored to be able to share the hotel’s extraordinary story with our guests, the Milwaukee community and beyond,” added Anderson.

For more information about the 35th Annual Telly Awards, please visit: http://www.tellyawards.com/.

For more information about the 2014 International Book Awards, please visit: http://www.internationalbookawards.com/home.html.

For more information about the National Indie Excellence® Book Awards, please visit: http://indieexcellence.com/about-indie-excellence.htm.

About “The History, Art & Imagery of The Pfister Hotel” Book:

Written by Thomas Jordan and designed by Steve Biel, both from Milwaukee, “The History, Art & Imagery of The Pfister Hotel” book captures the timeless beauty, personality and elegance of this world-class hotel through breathtaking original photography by Milwaukee photographer Jay Filter.  Published by The Marcus Corporation and registered with the Library of Congress, the book’s 283 pages detail the hotel’s simple yet elegant architecture and history, showcasing ironwork railing and staircases, exquisite chandeliers, the Victorian front desk that has greeted guests since 1893 and original paintings.  The stunning images tell the story of The Pfister through its beauty and serenity that has attracted every U.S. President since McKinley, as well as hundreds of celebrities, sports figures and world dignitaries.

About “The Pfister: History & Story” Documentary:

After a year of research uncovering fascinating historical documents in the vaults of the hotel, “The Pfister: History & Story” documentary was written, filmed and produced by z2, a branding firm located in Waukesha, Wis. The documentary, developed in celebration of The Pfister’s 120th anniversary, chronicles the history of the legendary hotel through photos, video footage, and interviews with previous guests, employees, historians and notable local figures. The personal stories dictated in the film convey The Pfister’s impact on the community and all those who pass through its doors into the grand marble lobby.

About The Pfister Hotel

Built in 1893, The Pfister Hotel has been the premier downtown Milwaukee hotel for more than a century, and continues to celebrate a tradition of gracious service and impeccable style; 2013 marked the hotel’s 120th year as an icon in Milwaukee. The Pfister Hotel was purchased in 1962 by Ben Marcus, who vowed to renovate the distinguished hotel to its original beauty. Significant renovations were completed and a new 23-story guest room tower was built. In fall 2012, The Marcus Corporation celebrated its 50th year of ownership of the property.

Home to the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world, The Pfister is a AAA Four-Diamond property with membership in two of the industry’s leading organizations: Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee.More information and updates on the hotel can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thePfisterHotel and on Twitter (@PfisterHotel).

Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 19 hotels, resorts and other properties in 10 states.  A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations.  The company’s portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels.  For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About The Marcus Corporation

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets.  In addition to its Marcus Hotels & Resorts division, the company’s movie theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fifth largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or operates 685 screens at 55 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio.  For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.marcuscorp.com.