Roger Frizzell, a veteran PR professional who spent nine years as the chief spokesman for the world’s largest cruise line, said he will step down as Carnival Corp.’s chief communications officer.
Frizzell, who has been a public relations professional for four decades, came to Carnival Corp in 2013, the day before Arnold Donald was named chief executive. Donald stepped down as CEO in April to become executive chairman.
As New York-listed Carnival’s new PR person, Frizzell was tasked with establishing PR oversight for the company’s 10 brands under Donald’s new leadership.
“In the last 40 years, I have worked for blue-chip companies like AT&T, HP, American Airlines. [and] PG&E, but my role as chief communications officer at Carnival Corporation has been the best job in the world,” he told TradeWinds.
Frizzell, 61, said he will spend his retirement with his wife of 40 years, five grown children and six grandchildren while serving on the boards of his alma mater University of Oklahoma and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The former collegiate wrestling standout said he would like to continue coaching the sport on the side — maybe even with his grandchildren one day — and teach some PR courses in college, as well as write books and stay closely involved in the field of PR.
The article continues below the announcement
“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career – and during my time in wrestling – to be surrounded by the best of the best, not only in the industry, but in PR, journalism and sports, people who are the most larger than life, but those giants who also took the time to share and mentor,” he said.
“I hope to give back some of what they have done for me and more.”
Frizzell will stay on as chief communications officer until the end of the year while Jody Venturoni, another PR veteran with 30 years of experience, steps in to become Carnival’s next chief communications officer.
“Roger Frizzell, our chief communications officer, will be stepping down after his outstanding work for the company over the past nine years,” Carnival said in an internal statement obtained by TradeWinds.
“Roger has helped elevate Carnival Corporation’s standing with the media and helped raise the profile of our brands, as well as expertly managing our PR responses through many volatile situations over the past decade.”
Frizzel graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 with a degree in journalism and public relations after enjoying a four-year career as one of the nation’s top college wrestlers.
He was a four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American wrestler for the University of Oklahoma Sooners and broke the college record with 114 wins and remains on his top 10 list for career wins.
Frizzell went on to win silver and gold medals at the USA Freestyle Senior National Championships.
After graduation, the National Wrestling Hall of Famer joined the PR department of telephone giant Bell System, AT&T’s predecessor.
He went on to serve executive PR roles with Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Pacific Gas & Electric Co and American Airlines before joining Carnival.
