AUBURN, MA, September 14, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nicholas Keyes has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Keyes has built a distinguished career in marketing, communications, brand development, and digital strategy, with extensive experience across the tourism, attractions, and travel industries.
Since 2022, Mr. Keyes has served as Marketing Director at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts, where he oversees the organization's marketing operations, including advertising, branding, digital communications, public relations, strategic partnerships and guest-facing marketing initiatives. During his tenure, Mr. Keyes has led a significant evolution of the Southwick's Zoo brand and its approach to marketing and guest engagement. His work has included modernizing the organization's advertising strategy, strengthening its digital presence, developing new campaigns for the zoo and its growing portfolio of seasonal experiences, and establishing a more cohesive brand across digital, print and on-site communications. He has also helped expand strategic partnerships and promotional opportunities designed to increase the zoo's visibility throughout New England and strengthen its connection with guests and the surrounding community.
A significant focus of Mr. Keyes' work at Southwick's Zoo has been connecting marketing with the overall guest experience. He spearheaded a comprehensive redesign of the zoo's website and led the development and launch of a new mobile application that provides guests with interactive mapping, park information and resources throughout their visit. These initiatives represent part of a broader effort to create a more integrated customer journey, extending from the way guests first discover the zoo and purchase tickets to how they navigate and engage with the property during their visit.
His work has also supported the development and growth of major seasonal events, special experiences and new guest offerings that have expanded the zoo's reach beyond the traditional daytime visit. Together, these initiatives reflect Mr. Keyes' broader approach to marketing, connecting brand strategy, digital communications and the guest experience to strengthen the relationship between an organization and its audiences.
Since 2021, Mr. Keyes has served as Director of Marketing and Branding for Gerber Tours Inc., where he helps guide marketing strategy and brand positioning while overseeing digital marketing, advertising, content development, communications, and the promotion of travel programs and destinations. His work extends across a broader portfolio of travel brands serving distinct audiences within the group travel market, encompassing domestic and international travel, educational programs, performance travel and group experiences.
During his tenure, Mr. Keyes has led efforts to modernize the company's marketing and strengthen its brand identity across multiple platforms. His work has included redesigning company websites, establishing updated marketing and brand standards, developing new advertising campaigns and continually introducing new approaches to the way travel programs and destinations are promoted. He has also worked to further position Gerber Tours as "The Student Travel Experts," strengthening the company's longstanding brand identity while developing content and promotional resources that highlight the destination knowledge and expertise behind its travel programs.
A particular focus of Mr. Keyes' work has been developing marketing that provides value beyond traditional trip promotion. Through destination-focused content, planning resources and other initiatives, he has worked to showcase the company's in-destination expertise while providing educators and group leaders with useful information throughout the planning and recruitment process. These efforts have helped create a more cohesive marketing approach that connects the company's brand, expertise and travel products across digital and traditional communications.
His earlier experience includes serving as a Regional Director at World Cultural Tours in Wilmington, North Carolina, from 2019 to 2021. In this capacity, he contributed to sales, marketing, and business development efforts until the company ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Keyes began his professional career in nonprofit leadership with the Boy Scouts of America. He served as district executive for the Mayflower Council from 2017 to 2019, following his service as district assistant with the Knox Trail Council in 2017. His earlier involvement with the organization included several leadership positions at the Mohegan Council's Treasure Valley Scout Reservation between 2013 and 2017, culminating in his service as assistant camp director.
Throughout his career, Mr. Keyes has developed particular expertise in digital advertising, brand development, guest experience and business-to-consumer marketing. His work has consistently focused on finding new ways to connect organizations with their audiences while strengthening the experience customers and guests have with a brand across digital and physical touchpoints.
Complementing his professional endeavors, Mr. Keyes has served as vice president of collegiate relations for the Boston Chapter of the American Marketing Association since 2023. In this capacity, he works with colleges and universities throughout the region to support collegiate American Marketing Association chapters and develop professional programming, including resume workshops, portfolio development sessions, conferences and other opportunities connecting students with the marketing profession.
Mr. Keyes earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications, with concentrations in writing, editing, and broadcasting, from Assumption University in Worcester in 2017. His academic background in communications and digital media provided a foundation for his subsequent work in marketing, advertising, branding and digital guest engagement. He credits his professional growth to the colleagues, mentors and industry professionals who have provided guidance and opportunities throughout his career.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Keyes remains actively involved in his community. He serves as vice president of the board of the Daniels Farmstead Foundation, where he supports fundraising, marketing and community engagement efforts dedicated to preserving the historic Daniels Farmstead and expanding its role as a community gathering place. His longstanding commitment to service also includes volunteer leadership with the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Keyes' achievements have been recognized through several honors. In 2025, he was named to the Worcester Business Journal's Forty Under Forty list in recognition of his professional accomplishments and contributions to the Central Massachusetts community. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America in 2013 and was inducted into the French National Honor Society in 2015.
Born and raised in Auburn, Massachusetts, Mr. Keyes enjoys camping, hiking, photography, backpacking, and spending time outdoors. Looking ahead, he plans to continue building upon his work in marketing and brand leadership while pursuing further education and expanding his involvement with the American Marketing Association. He remains focused on creating meaningful connections between organizations and their audiences and contributing to the continued evolution of the marketing profession.
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