Burbank, CA, April 15, 2011 --- If you love the glamour and excitement of movie and TV stars, you should talk to John Blanchette; if you love seeing and hearing about tantalizing and intriguing destinations around the world, you should talk to John Blanchette. In fact, if you simply enjoy eating world-class cuisine, you should talk to John.

"Writing a press release about John Blanchette joining Traveling Boy," says Traveling Boy PR director John Clayton, "is a challenging assignment for any writer, because John has had - and continues to enjoy - an extraordinary life in both show biz and the world of travel."

Blanchette, as president and owner, currently heads up Blanchette and Associates PR agency in Santa Monica, California. For 28 years he worked in entertainment and corporate publicity, and for an additional 13 years he was a syndicated writer for the Copley and Creators News Syndicate writing about travel, wine and food. This work has taken Blanchette to all four corners of the Globe.

His love of show business and his writing talents - that were honed to a fine degree at both Harvard University Press and Harvard University (where got a BA and Masters degree in English Literature) -- enabled him to work and represent the PR needs of a virtual “Who's Who” of Hollywood’s greatest including Bob Hope, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hugh Hefner, Jane Fonda, Michael Jackson, Shirley MacLaine and Arnold Schwarzenegger among others. He currently represents Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dorian Harewood (“Las Vegas”) and a variety of other hi profile business accounts.

"I've always liked a creative challenge," he says, "and I was able to put this creative energy to beneficial use in doing some attention getting events for some of my clients." He says that when the Hollywood Wax Museum hired him, he closed down Hollywood Blvd. on several occasions when he did such things as have the Longest "Kick Line" with the Rockettes; and the Longest California Roll. Other "Firsts" included the world's largest Chocolate Valentine and Easter Bunny.

Commenting on the addition of Blanchette to the ever expanding list of top flight journalists to the Traveling Boy website, Ed Boitano, the President and founder of TB, said "Having the caliber of a John Blanchette as a regular Traveling Boy contributor takes us to a whole new level of glamour and sophistication.” This creative talent of Blanchette’s has also been utilized to get publicity for movies that included “Il Postino,” “LA Confidential,” and “The Flinstones.” Current projects include The Marina Jazz Festival, “Standup Gourmet “ and “The Badge” for Spike TV.

"With such a celebrity filled background, and a Treasure Trove of clever publicity stunts," says John Clayton, “we wondered what it was that drew Blanchette to the stable of Traveling Boy journalists.” A wry smile flashes across his face, and he says, "I joined "Traveling Boy" magazine because of the high quality of writers and photographers on staff. I enjoyed reading the magazine each month and asked if I could submit some of my articles. Publisher Ed Boitano invited me into the circle. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a professional group of travel writers and I am honored to be one of the most recent "Traveling Boys."

Boitano noted that John’s latest blog: Deep in the Heart of Texas Wine Country pretty well explains why his Traveling Boy moniker is "The Travel Gourmet."

Other examples of John’s scrumptious work includes:

1. Getting a Boot Out of Italy: A Culinary Journey from Heel to Toe
2. Yountville: The Culinary Center of the Napa Valley
3. Switzerland: Europe's Jewel Box
4. Grazing Through Northern Sonoma County

The concept of Traveling Boy is best expressed in its Mission Statement that notes "our approach to travel is a personal and very subjective way of writing about destinations and travel themes. To do this," says Boitano, "we have dozens of talented journalists and photographers who give their own unique perspective on things, people and places around the world."