KD&CO Advisors is a consultancy focused on business development strategies, feasibility studies,
and branding and marketing plans in the hospitality, travel, tourism, and commercial real estate
industries. With a business philosophy based on the understanding that the key to success is the
connectivity between people, product, purpose, and profit, we partner with clients to unlock the
rich reserves within their existing teams and assets and explore business and revenue
opportunities that translate to positive financial results and authentic brand building and
awareness.
Keith Douglas, Founder and CEO, is a marketing, branding, and operations executive with 25+
years of experience in the travel, tourism, hospitality, and commercial real estate with globally
recognized iconic brands and assets. He has built the marketing vision and strategic
roadmaps necessary to propel landmark assets, hotels, and tourist attractions to top global
destinations and created the value proposition and branding with a purpose for several leading
hotel franchises and real estate companies in key US markets.
In real estate, on both existing assets and new developments, KD&CO Advisors collaborate with
architects and designers to envision spaces that consider the long-term integration of the asset or
destination into the community, creating a sense of place and belonging. The process involves a
systematic examination of existing conditions, competitive review, and market trend analysis,
resulting in an executive summary including suggestions and recommendations for future revenue
opportunities and placemaking initiatives and ideas. This provides a meaningful business context
to the human capital needs, revenue, and expense opportunities, as well as sales, marketing, and
branding with purpose recommendations.
Before KD&CO, Keith was Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer for Sterling Bay. The position
was a critical role in the firm, building strong brand positioning, public relations, communications,
and internal and external collaboration to drive the company’s growth and brand awareness. The
primary responsibilities included serving as chief architect and ambassador of Sterling Bay’s
corporate and property marketing to key stakeholders through engaging activations, marketing
and communications programs, and internal and external connection activities.
Before joining Sterling Bay, Keith served as Managing Director with Legends, overseeing One
World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York. His responsibilities included
directing the vision and financial performance for the total operation, including admission sales,
special events, food and beverage, retail, and sponsorship. Both revenue and profit grew during
his tenure with the operation.
Before joining Legends, Keith led his own consulting company, KD&CO, Inc., and had long-term
relationships with several key clients, including SL Green, Acram Group, Cirque du Soleil,
SpyScape Museum, SportsTime, and key luxury retail brands.

From 2006 to 2015, Keith was with Tishman Speyer at Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock
Observation Deck, and the Rainbow Room, among other global responsibilities. Keith led
the development of the strategic business and marketing plans to increase tourist traffic, improve
retail sales, develop public art programs, generate special events revenue, source sponsorship
opportunities, and garner positive public relations and new tenant partnerships, creating
incremental value beyond the physical location.
Keith was instrumental in propelling the daily visitation rate from 175,000 to 350,000 through
several branding, special events, and strategic partnership efforts. Under his leadership, Top of
the Rock, Rockefeller Center’s historic observation deck, was reimagined and reopened after
closing for more than a decade. During his ten-year tenure, daily visitation doubled, and revenues
tripled. In 2008, Time Out New York recognized Top of the Rock as the #1 attraction out of
1,000 things to do in NYC, and in 2007 it earned Trip Advisor’s distinction as one of the top 10
US attractions.
In 2014, Keith orchestrated the reopening of the Rainbow Room after a six-year closure. He
expanded dining and catering options and added new venues, including Sixty-Five Bar and a
private, members-only dining club for top New York executives. In the first year of operation, the
Rainbow Room was voted by Open Table as one of the top one hundred destination restaurants
in the US.
Keith managed marketing and operational aspects for all events at Rockefeller Center, including
the Annual Tree Lighting Event and Rockefeller Center’s Public Art Program. He led several
globally recognized installation projects during his tenure, including Thomas Houseago: Masks;
Jeff Koons: Split-Rocker; and Ugo Rondinone: Human Nature. Each of the public art projects
required sponsorship funds to balance the costs of the installations. Costs ranged from $1M to
$3M each, and Keith was responsible for raising those funds and developing those brand
partnerships.
Before his work with Tishman Speyer, Keith spent 20 years in executive sales, marketing, and
managerial roles for several well-known hospitality brands, including W Hotels, Loews, Hilton,
Omni, Inter-Continental, and Park Hyatt. Keith has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Johnson &
Wales University in Hospitality Management.
For information on KD&CO Advisors, contact Keith Douglas at kdouglas@kdcoadvisors.com.
Executive Search is an additional opportunity with KD&CO, LLC. Specializing in hospitality, travel,
and tourism, KD&CO offers to source for key management, executive, and C-Suite level positions.
Years of networking ensure that the candidates will accomplish the business objectives of the roles,
assimilate well into the company culture, and have long-term executive leadership potential for
the organization.