The much anticipated spud summit have occurred without much perceived movement in further human understanding.
Well, the only foreign influence planned was a tall mug of Red Stripe beer. Although advertised as such, the professor decided to go with Samuel Adams, from the local New England brewery instead. This just added to a tough week as the
Roaming Gnome is off to Hawaii instead of Jamaica for his travel adventure!.
Speaking like a true teetotaler (me no drink) , - bitters suds may actually reduce brain function. However, how can we turn these lemons into lemonade?
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Red Stripe beer presence could have broken the Whitehouse rule set in the sixties by President Lyndon Johnson of not allowing foreign beer.
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The marketing impulse in me could not resist thinking of the possibility. When you get so much free press, you need to capitalize.
I actually detest (yes that strong) the last Red Stripe commercial I saw on ESPN that emphasized the bottle. I thought it was all about the content,not the ugliness of the bottle.
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Is this a means of upgrading the commercial now that the world is aware of Red Stripe?
Red Stripe that close to the World Stage
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What are the other possible leverage points that are now possible because of this summit?
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Here are a few that gush from my fertile brain cells for what they are worth.
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Combine the clicking of the mugs with a Jamaica , No problem ad, with Bob Marley singing, “Let’s get together, and feel alright”.
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Send officer Crowley a six pack gift of Red Stripe and create a photo op as he receives this gift .
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Offer both Prof. Gates and officer Crowley a week-end trip to Jamaica to have a follow up dialog.
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Offer President Obama a get away trip where he can meet with key congressional leaders to hammer out a health care bill.
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License our “Out of Many, One People” motto to Cambridge to help promote a harmonious community.
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Create a free Iphone App for Red Stripe to promote Jamaica.
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What’s your idea on how we can leverage this meeting?
Should Jamaica be chosen the winner, the Roaming Gnome will jet off to the breathtaking Caribbean island to experience and enjoy the destination’s natural beauty and diverse culture. Fans will be able to follow his tour and journey online, giving potential travelers a taste of what to expect when they visit.
If you were on a game show, and the word scammer was placed on the electronic board, you would lose if you mentioned Jamaica. Will the rapidly developing scam story chance to our misfortune? Well, we may all about to lose our stellar reputation with the emerging story of scamming.
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I have received hundred of spam correspondences from Africa, and China with some sob story needing my assistance for banking transaction. My Nigerian friends cringe at the stain of the association with such transactions.
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Well, some elements in Jamaica have decided to take this crime to a new level and we are now faced with international eyes glaring at us.
Our Jamaican government is stepping up to the plate in rooting out the corrupting cop elements and are doing joint venture with US agents to track down these criminals. I applaud their proactive posture.
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In an era of tight tourism dollars, incidence like these are coupled to the recent hijacking to engender a hesitation about destination , Jamaica.
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Here is a quote to consider:
Reputation is a jewel which nothing can replace; it is ten thousand times more valuable capital than your diamonds.
Edouard Rene Lefebure Laboulaye
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What additional step(s) can we take to remove doubt and restore trust in destination Jamaica?
It’s nearly 515 years since Columbus came to Jamaica on his second voyage.
This Wednesday, the King and Queen of Spain came instead of sending an adventurer. For 146 years, Jamaica was a Spanish colony until it was abandoned to the British. The Spanish has left a legacy that is visibly reflected in our architecture, and names of many of our towns.
King Juan Carlos I addressed parliament, and made significant commitment about the two nation’s relationship.
Spain has been quietly nurturing the relationship in recent years.
Spanish investment is said to be around US$1.48 B resulting in 40,000 jobs.
Spain is one of the leading developers , building a significant portion of the new accommodation capacity.
Spanish visitors account for the third largest set of visitors from Europe.
They sent aid during the devastating hurricanes of last year.
They have made investments in agriculture and training of farmers.
They have invested in the restoration of the Spanish presence in Spanish Town such a a wing of the hospital.
Spain has supported teaching of Spanish as a foreign language which will help with our Latin America engagements.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr. Kenneth Baugh (right), and Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos, sign copies of bilateral agreements for the establishment of air services between both countries.
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Tourism remains our golden goose. However, is the increased development like feeding steroids to the goose?
We are faced with a major dilemma. How do you leverage the interest from the Chinese, and now the Spanish and create a sustainable, diverse economic situation?
The formal initiative started back in April of 2008 with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett met with China National Tourism Administration’s Chairman Shao Qiwei to discuss tourism between the two nations.
During the trip, Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett also met with Mr. Li Jianping, Vice President of the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries , forging a new level of commitment to China/Jamaica tourism. This was prior to successful Olympics Jamaica had in Beijing.
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It is clear that the traditional markets of Europe and North America will be stagnant at best in the near future, and the Chinese market represent an area for replacement and growth.
The Chinese clearly are making significant presence in the Caribbean, and Latin America to add to their large presence in Africa.
His Excellency Xi Jinping arrives for a four day visit.
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During his visit, the Chinese Vice President is expected to sign a number of agreements with the Jamaican Government covering agriculture, finance, education and infrastructural development.The first down payment was the signing of a $100M line of credit.
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What would you say to a prospective tourist from China to bypass Hawaii and come to Jamaica?
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What concerns and hopes do you have for this budding relationship?
On February 6, we celebrate Bob Marley’s 64th. birthday.
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In the US, his memory is evident in that TV commerical promoting tourism, beckoning us back to our land of eternal Summer. It is good that we can leverage the commerical value of this our most famous son, but I urge you to reflect for a few moments his life’s impact.
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For myself, Bob was able to give a powerful voice to the plight of the marginalized globally. His music reflected their frustrations, and hope. In this moment in our history when the gails of separation from socio-economic, race, and geography threaten to do our community harm, let’s rally to the call of One Love to keep hope alive.
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Please, take a moment and share a Bob Marley quote with a child to pass the memory on as a part of your legacy.
Now, let the celebration begin!
If you are fortunate enough to be in the Big Apple, New York, this week-end, you can join in the celebration as follows.
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The Jamaica Tourist board is planning a Marley Birthday celebration with cake cutting and a chance to win a trip to Jamaica!
Here are the details:
WHEN:Friday, February 6: Bob Marley Birthday Cake Cutting at 2:00 p.m. 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (open to trade and press only)
. Saturday, February 7:Bob Marley Birthday Cake Cutting at 1:00 p.m.10 AM - 6 PM
. Sunday, February 8:Bob Marley Birthday Cake Cutting at 1:00 p.m.10 AM - 4 PM
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WHERE: Jamaica Booth 211Jacob K. Javits Convention Center: 11 Ave & 34 St. (Level 3 - Halls 3D & E)
WHY: For your mental health! You need to think about warm tropical breezes, spectacular sunsets, sunny Jamaican beaches, fun filled family water parks and much more to help dispel February doldrums.
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Share a comment of what Marley meant to you or share what your community is doing to honor his memory.
On this glorious Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators is readied for his annual announcement.
He was awakened by a call from the Punxsutawney Phil society’s president and his handler.
After casting a joyful eye towards his faithful followers, he sniffed around, and meandered through the nearby bushes. He seems unimpressed by the gathering press core with their clicking cameras.
Then his spokesman made the proclamation.
“Hear Ye Hear Ye!
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers are Super bowl champs and the bright sky above him showed his shadow beside him, so there will be six more weeks of winter.”
“Rhaatid!”, shouted a local Jamaican in the crowd. “What the @*$# cloth him just said?”
He followed that with a vicious verbal barrage of vigorous words seeming to pertain to cloth.
That certainly got the attention of the society’s president.
“Are you in the haberdashery business sir?” the president inquired.
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“No, sir, but my sister owns a small hotel in Jamaica and with the economic down turn, she had to lay off several people from her staff, and needs a sign for some pick up in business.
Now with Phil declaring just 6 more weeks of winter, folks may put off making the investment in themselves by going to our land of eternal summer, Jamaica”.
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“I am so sorry to hear this. Tell you what, the folks here are not all that thrilled with Phil either. They are saying who cares about his winter prediction, how about some new jobs prediction. Look at this poster I found nailed to my door this morning.”
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“Tell you what, suppose you get him to study up on Jamaica’s habitat, and see if he could spend a few weeks there, away from this desolate place and angry people. It could not have an easier job, and we have only one season ” stated the Jamaican.
“Let him take a look at this beautiful poster, and get himself to Philly to enter the contest!”
So where in Jamaica would you encourage Phil to hang out & why?
This choice used to be a slam dunk for the average person.
But the financial and geographic winter that has gripped the globe and frozen many brain cells into a state of despair. The Jamaican Tourist Board had decided to do something about this and provide a stimulus program to jolt the world back to vibrant living.
Imagine being a commuter , feeling emotional, and physically like the abdominal snowman suffering from the double barrel assault of the weather and economic worry. A treat is now being redefined as a McDonald’s cup of coffee. Just how much further bruising can one’s psyche take?
Then there it is, an oasis for sore eyes, the poster declaring
Jamaica’s Winter Rescue Program
Located in the main atrium and throughout the remaining floors of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the new campaign comprises ceiling banners, large floor mats and large scale posters.
“Many consumers are looking for relief during our current challenging economic situation. We want to spread the message that Jamaica offers travelers both accessibility and value for a winter getaway,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.
Jamaica Winter Rescue Events
Events will take place in the following cities:
New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal – January 13, 20, 27 and February 3
Boston’s South Street Station – January 13
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station – January 15
Chicago’s Union Station – January 15
The events will feature Jamaican music, food and drink, and special giveaway items, along with a chance to win a trip to Jamaica.
Jamaica Winter Rescue Taxicab Promotions
In New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago keep your eyes out for special taxicab tops that will feature Jamaican advertisements.
In addition, the Jamaica Tourist Board has teamed up with radio stations in each city to offer a special Jamaica Winter Rescue Promotionwhere listeners can notify the station when and where they spot a Jamaican taxi, and enter to win a trip to Jamaica.
The participating radio stations are:
New York – WLTW-FM and WWPR-FM
Philadelphia – WISX-FM
Chicago – KISS-FM
Boston – KISS 108-FM
The unspoken question is how can Jamaica be so bold as to invite folks to invest in themselves at a time like this? Well, poverty of the spirit is a deeper malady than material want as it robs one of the possibility of improving one’s state. When one can trade in their winter of discontent, and get a big dose of vitamin D for the body & soul, one will be well prepared to deal with the challenging circumstances we encounter.
Spread the word folks, participate, and exercise a little genius in investing in yourself that will have multiplying effects.
Let us know about your sightings/impressions of this campaign .
Here is a first report from Chicago by Helen Ames
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CHICAGO - January 15, 2009 – CHICAGO COMMUTERS ESCAPED THE CITY’S FRIGID CHILL WITH A JAMAICAN WINTER RESCUE – At Chicago’s Union Station, local commuters got a taste ofall things Jamaica including taxi toppers, backdrop spectaculars, free goodies, and live reggae music. Glen Bucknor, Jamaica Tourist Board representative based in Chicago, is seen above giving local commuters many reasons they should take a Jamaican Winter Rescue including value and accessibility the destination offers. Commuters also got into the island vibe by jamming to live reggae music provided by the Jamaican One Man Band.
And from Boston by Alicia Rainbolt.
Hope she is heading to our place of Eternal Summer.
