Brian O’Connor has been named vice president of North American sales for Princess Cruises and Cunard Line. In this role, O’Connor will oversee the development of programs to meet the company’s sales goals, and he will manage the field sales team that represents both cruise lines to travel agents across the United States and Canada. He will also provide strategic marketing guidance to help agencies increase their cruise business. He is replacing Lee Robinson, who will retire at the end of March.

O’Connor currently serves as director of marketing and public relations for Cunard Line, developing programs to support the line’s business development managers and travel agent sales, as well as overseeing the marketing of the brand. He joined Cunard in 2006 as director of public relations, where he oversaw the line’s public relations strategies, programs and policies, including managing media relations and special events for Queen Mary 2 and the launch of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

“Brian has been instrumental in increasing the awareness of Cunard in the North American market, particularly among travel agents,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “His strong travel industry background, combined with his proven ability to design marketing programs to help agents sell more cruises, will be an asset to our sales program and our commitment to our travel partners.”

O’Connor began his career in 1991 at Hilton Hotels Corporation world headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif., and served for more than eight years in various roles which included senior brand manager responsible for the identity redesign and implementation for the Hilton brand globally. From 2004-2006 he served as public relations director for The Beverly Hilton, where he directed publicity and marketing communications programs for the iconic luxury hotel.