The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Tourism has entered a month-long partnership with the Wendy Williams show in an effort to highlight the destination’s unique offerings on an international stage. The promotion runs April 24 to May 25 featuring “Wendy’s Hot Tropics Giveaway” as well as special guest appearances from the Caribbean Ritual Dancers (April 24), Chef Leslie “Theo” Gumbs (May 16) and Virgin Islands recording artist Pressure Busspipe (May 22). The partnership complements the upcoming “VI Nice” summer travel promotion.
“We are keen to embark on this partnership to expose millions of national and international viewers who tune into the Wendy Williams show each week, to the creative talent on the Virgin Islands,” said Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “The advertising equivalency – what we would have paid if we had bought time on The Wendy Williams Show – is over $1.1 million. That’s an enormous value to the territory and our tourism partners.”
Wendy Williams first started as an intern at St. Croix’s WVIS radio and, following a 23-year career in radio, embarked on the “The Wendy Williams Show,” which now screens nationally on Fox and BET and is syndicated across the U.S. and in 52 countries. The show has been renewed for eight seasons through 2017.
Tune in during the month-long partnership to see:
Wendy’s Hot Tropics Giveaway Launch and Caribbean Ritual Dancers
Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. AST
The partnership kicks off on April 24 with “Wendy’s Hot Tropics Giveaway” and the Caribbean Ritual Dancers coming out to a new song for carnival 2014 entitled “Mass is the Mission” by soca artist and USVI native Patrick ‘Solijah’ Farrell. The giveaway runs for four weeks and will see Wendy’s viewers will enter to win a seven-night trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands by submitting the USVI-themed word of the day online. The contest will be promoted on Wendy’s social media channels which have 1,150,000 Twitter followers, and 1.9 million Facebook likes as well as Wendy’s e-newsletter that is distributed to 610,000 fans. Wendy’s Facebook cover photo will change to the USVI themed image promoting the trip giveaway.
Hotel prize partners include Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, The Westin St. John Resort, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort and The Buccaneer Hotel. The estimated value of the four prize packages including accommodations, meals and travel is estimated at $32,219.
Caribbean Cooking Demonstration with Chef Theo Gumbs
Friday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. AST
Virgin Islander Chef Leslie “Theo” Gumbs will perform a cooking demonstration of a local Caribbean-inspired dish. Chef Gumbs is an internationally renowned chef who is best known for combining his love of regional flavors with world cuisine. He has served as an island ambassador while featured on NBC’s Today Show, Canada’s CTV and CW’s Newsfix.
Musical Performance by Pressure Busspipe
Thursday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. AST
The month-long partnership will culminate with a high-energy performance by popular Virgin Islands reggae star, Delyno “Pressure Busspipe” Brown. Pressure will perform his new hit song “Virgin Islands Nice”. The Virgin Islands artist is known for his smooth, melodic voice and writing skills that convey the Virgin Islands experience through his music. He is best known for his hit song “Love and Affection.”
BIGGUPS TO PRESSURE!
The Department of Tourism will share online clips of the episodes once they air on the USVI Twitter (@USVITourism) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI) pages.
