Julie Estrada is Merlin Entertainments‘ public relations director for North America. In this role, she represents the 26 Merlin Entertainments Group businesses in the region. She is also widely known in the attractions business, as she often speaks at IAAPA events and on behalf of the industry.
Estrada is an experienced media relations manager with many years of experience in the leisure, travel & tourism industry. She also worked in broadcast news for over a decade, building transferrable skills in her time as an executive producer, where she worked to craft great stories to be told in all mediums. She has a Bachelor’s degree focused in Communication and Media Studies from the University of California in San Diego.
“Julie’s work on the LEGOLAND New York Resort project was incredible,” said one nominator. “2.5 years of battling negative sentiment in the community lead to the creation of 1,000 plus jobs, $450 million dollars spent in the community building a 500+ acre theme park 65 miles away for New York City. I have known Julie for 10 + years in the UK and US and she is quite honestly the best PR person I have worked with. Her passion, enthusiasm and work ethic are second to none and I believe that she is truly an influencer within our industry.”
Speaking to blooloop in 2020 about the decision to delay the opening of LEGOLAND New York in response to the global pandemic, Estrada said:
“We found ourselves in good company. Our decision was consistent with the closure of venues and postponement of events worldwide in response to the pandemic. Our marketing strategy shifted to educating our fans about the change in opening date and explaining how they could renew their tickets for next year’s opening.
“We also pivoted to a virtual content strategy, working with our sister parks in California and Florida to promote virtual learning, creativity and play through the Legoland Building Challenge. The majority of responses have been overwhelmingly supportive of our decision. We’ve been touched by the notes of understanding and appreciation that we’ve received from our fans.”