To help you get to know who's who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month we introduce Liz Gruszkievicz, partner and management director at JWT Chicago, IBOT's general market advertising agency of record.

As partner and management director at JWT Chicago, IBOT's general market advertising agency since early 2004, Liz Gruszkievicz oversees strategy and creative development for the bureau's multi-million dollar account and manages more than a dozen staff members. Last May, along with her team, Gruszkievicz launched the "Illinois. Mile After Magnificent Mile" campaign that positions Illinois as an ideal three-day getaway destination. The campaign has proven to be very successful to date, generating 2.4 million consumer inquiries in FY '04 alone—a 58 percent increase vs. 2003—and an 8.6 percent increase in visitors in 2004 vs.2003.

During her 13 years at JWT and prior to spearheading the IBOT account, Gruszkievicz worked on blue chip multinational assignments such as Kodak, Warner-Lambert (Pfizer) and, most recently, Kraft Foods, on brands such as Philadelphia, Miracle Whip and Grey Poupon. Leading up to her tenure on Kraft, Gruszkievicz worked in the glamorous world of hair care at JWT New York, spearheading the Effie Award-winning ThermaSilk shampoo launch campaign.

JWT, which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year, ranks as the largest advertising agency brand in the U.S. and as the fourth largest full-service network in the world. In addition to the Illinois business, JWT Chicago's clients include Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Blockbuster, Stouffer's, Nestlé, Ford Regional, National PTA, Steppenwolf, National Parks Trust and Salton.

Along with her husband, David, and 4-year old twin daughters, Amanda and Rachel, Gruszkievicz lives in the Chicago suburb of Evanston - a long way from her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received a BS in communications and BA in psychology from Boston University and is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French.

Travels for both work and pleasure have taken her to such exciting locales as Romania, Florence, Necker Island—Sir Richard Branson's private Caribbean island--and even picturesque St. Charles, Illinois.