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INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

Why Hyatt Is Betting Big on Midscale Hotels

54 minutes

Season 5

·

Episode 8

In This Conversation

Bryan sits down with Jason Ballard, SVP and Global Brand Leader for the Essentials Portfolio at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, to talk about how Hyatt is expanding into new markets through brands like Hyatt Studios, Hyatt Select, Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Unscripted by Hyatt, and UrCove.

The conversation dives into Hyatt's approach to midscale and upper-midscale growth, owner-focused development, conversion strategy, brand discipline, and guest experience — and what it takes to build hotel brands that actually work in the real world.

Jason also shares reflections from his 20+ year career at Hyatt, how hospitality creates long-term opportunity, why travel changes people, and the leadership lessons he's learned across revenue management, operations, analytics, brand development, and global hotel strategy.

Key Topics

Hyatt's Midscale Expansion

Owner-Focused Development

Conversion Brand Strategy

In This Episode:

  • Hyatt's growth in the essentials and midscale hotel space

  • The strategy behind Hyatt Studios and Hyatt Select

  • Why conversion brands are becoming more important

  • How Hyatt thinks about owners, operators, and development costs

  • Building hotels around real operational feedback

  • The future of hotel loyalty and guest experience

  • Career lessons from 20+ years in hospitality

Jason Ballard

SVP, Global Brand Leader – Essentials Portfolio

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

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About Our Guest

Jason Ballard is SVP and Global Brand Leader for the Essentials Portfolio at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, overseeing brands including Hyatt Studios, Hyatt Select, Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Unscripted by Hyatt, and UrCove. He brings more than 20 years of experience at Hyatt spanning franchise operations, brand performance, and development across the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, and recently led the launch of the Hyatt Studios brand.