Experience

Rita Chen is a strategic marketing advisor, curious researcher, and creative problem-solver who has spent over two decades helping brands tell their story, build deep connections, and drive meaningful growth.

From global entertainment icons like DreamWorks to cultural powerhouses like City Winery and destination marketing leaders like Choose Chicago, Rita has helped teams uncover clarity, align their messaging, and create marketing systems that deliver results.

Explore the case studies below to see how Rita’s collaborative, strategic approach has inspired audiences, empowered teams, and transformed brands across tourism, hospitality, and entertainment.

Today, as Founder of Rita Chen Consulting, she brings this same thoughtful, partnership-driven mindset to organizations ready to get clear, get aligned, and get moving.

Rita Chen 7/30/19 Rita Chen 7/30/19

Brand: Choose Chicago

Challenge: Promote the city of Chicago by breaking through negative clutter using a solid paid and earned media strategy.

Rita Chen 7/18/19 Rita Chen 7/18/19

Brand: City Winery Riverwalk

Challenge: Launch a new location for City Winery at the Riverwalk (navigating city politics along the way).

Rita Chen 7/15/19 Rita Chen 7/15/19

Brand: DreamWorks

Challenge: Drive sales of Shrek 2 DVDs at key retailers.

Rita Chen 7/10/19 Rita Chen 7/10/19

Brand: Choose Chicago

Challenge: Rebuild the Choose Chicago website so the content strategy actually matches the consumer journey.

Rita Chen 6/11/19 Rita Chen 6/11/19

Brand: City Winery Chicago

Challenge: Boost brand awareness of City Winery through a private concert by legendary performer, Prince.

Rita Chen 5/28/19 Rita Chen 5/28/19

Brand: Chicago Booth

Challenge: Generate leads and increase awareness and consideration of Chicago Booth business school.

Rita Chen 5/15/19 Rita Chen 5/15/19

Brand: Nestle

Challenge: Rise the ranks in the candy industry (without eating all of our profits)

Testimonials

"Rita is a trusted marketing partner to Chicago's First Lady Cruises. She has expertly identified and secured key partnerships that connect us to the vibrant happenings in Chicago. Beyond supporting our leisure tour product, Rita has also secured valuable advertising opportunities with leading meeting and event planner organizations to promote our private events and charter business. This year, her efforts have been crucial as we focus on IPW, which will be held in Chicago in 2025. We appreciate Rita's resourcefulness, transparency, and deep knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry. "

Brie Agra
President, Chicago’s First Lady Cruises
Client of Rita Chen Consulting
“Rita was instrumental in Chicago's remarkable achievement of being named the Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for seven consecutive years (2017–2023). She revitalized a previously narrow and limited brand into an award-winning image-rich brand with sophistication and variety but more importantly, strategically targeted. This resulted in record occupancy and average daily rate performance. Rita's leadership and mentorship cultivated a talented team, and she managed complex city and state politics with grace. These experiences have enriched her wisdom and paved the way for her entrepreneurial journey, where she now helps transform organizations with her passion for marketing grounded in research and engagement.”

David Whitaker
President & CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Managed Rita at Choose Chicago 2016 - 2021
“Rita Chen is a consummate marketer. Strategy and planning are particular strengths. Rita is an agile marketer as well. She has been able to transfer her skills into a variety of arenas with great success. Rita is equally adept at getting things done and with great attention to detail. She embraces technology and leverages it to provide greater impact which is so critical to being a modern marketer. Rita is creative, resourceful and not afraid of the un-navigated.”

Adrienne Nazon
Vice President External Relations and Communications, University of Illinois System
Managed Rita at University of Chicago Booth School of Business 2010 - 2012
"Rita was a valuable addition to our team at BarkleyOKRP. She integrated seamlessly into the agency during a time of need and supported us on two key projects for a tourism client: audience segmentation and international marketing. She was able to work in the strategy and account sides within the agency. Her calm and measured presence on the team was appreciated. It was a joy partnering with her and we highly recommend her for your marketing needs."

Nick Paul
President, BarkleyOKRP
Former Client of Rita Chen Consulting