Tag Archives: Jamaica Incentive Travel

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Has Volkswagen Stereotyped Jamaicans with its “Be Happy” Super Bowl Ads?

Today’s post is a departure from our usual focus. I’m taking time out to deal with the controversy that has developed about Volkswagen’s Super Bowl ads.

Has Volkswagen Stereotyped Jamaicans with its “Be Happy” Super Bowl Ads?

The short answer to that question is no “definitely not”. I am Jamaican and in no way shape or form am I offended by the ads.  The ads, which feature international Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff, are  light and funny. Sure, they’re somewhat silly, but so what? Humour is meant to be silly.

The bottom line is that the ads are positive. How anyone can object to a message encouraging people to put some happiness into their day is beyond me?  As a Jamaican, if I am going to be stereotyped, I would rather be stereotyped as a positive person with a bright outlook on life than an angry person. I LOVE the line “turn that frown the other way around”.

Take a peek:

Certainly, people in Jamaica don’t go around smiling, singing and dancing all day long. (Anyone who thinks this after viewing the commercial is lacking in the gray matter department.) However, there is an approach to life that seeks to move beyond negative experiences and strive for more positive outcomes. This has allowed a nation that has faced a number of struggles including slavery, economic challenges, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to get through tough times and keep on moving.

The Jamaica Tourist Board has endorsed the ads.

McNeill described the commercial as a tribute to the popularity of reggae music worldwide, while saluting reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff for being a true Jamaican ambassador through his outstanding music.” I urge persons all across the globe to do exactly what the commercial portrays, which is to tap into your inner Jamaican and ‘get happy.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeill endorses VW Super Bowl commercial

I have just done a quick Google search and it is telling that, at the time of writing, not even one major media outlet has carried news about this endorsement so far. There has been plenty of airtime given to American journalists and ad agency reps. who object to the ads.

I don’t speak for all Jamaicans. I can only speak for myself. I am sure that there may be some Jamaicans who don’t like the commercials. People will always have different points of view.  Also, none of  the Jamaicans I know are offended by the ads.

Update: Even the Prime Minister of Jamaica has come out in support of the ads:

Considering all of this, the reaction of some American journalists to the second commercial is somewhat confusing.

Here are some examples of negative media reaction.

Here are reactions from some of the people in Jamaica who were shown the ads:

More Jamaicans React

Update: In the interests of balance I have found one Jamaican, Christopher John Farley Wall Street Journal journalist, who had some concerns.

If, by and large, Jamaicans, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaican media outlets don’t have concerns about the commercials, why are American journalists crying racism?

Some of the reactions show that these individuals are highly misinformed about Jamaica. Some seem to have a problem with a White man speaking with a Jamaican accent. Frankly, the actor has done a pretty good job. He never represents himself as a Jamaican. It is clear that he is a man from Minnesota speaking with a Jamaican accent.

The comments made by Barbara Lippert from MediaPost.com were particularly disturbing. Referring to a Jamaican accent as a “Black accent” totally misses the mark. Charles M. Blow, New York Times columnist, made equally offensive comments by referring to the ads as being “like “blackface with voices”. Give me a break. Just who is doing the stereotyping?

Newsflash! Jamaica is a racially diverse society, Jamaica’s National Motto is “Out of Many One People”. Jamaicans come in all races, colours, and shades. Our history is a rich tapestry of the ethnic backgrounds of our ancestors who have come from all over the world. When Jamaicans shake their family trees many are likely to find ancestors from a number of backgrounds including African, Taino, English, Scottish, Irish, Chinese, Lebanese, and East Indian. There are many White and Chinese Jamaicans.

When, Barbara Lippert asked “What does Jamaica have to do with Germany?” (as Volkswagen is a German brand), she showed a lack of awareness of Jamaican history. First of all, Volkswagens have been very popular in Jamaica. Years after they disappeared from North America, Volkswagen Bugs were in good repair and being driven on the streets of Kingston.

Clearly Barbara is not aware that some Jamaicans do trace their ancestry to Germany.

This article from The Gleaner, Jamaica’s daily newspaper that has been published since 1834, traces the presence of Germans in Jamaica back to 1778:

The article discusses the fact that, under a practice known as “bountied European immigration”, 64 Germans migrated to Jamaica in May, 1834. Many followed in their footsteps. In 1835, for example, 250 German immigrants were settled on Lord Seaforth’s Estate. Today this area is known as Seaforth Town.

This video takes you on a virtual journey to Seaforth Town and traces the history of some of the first Germans to migrate to Jamaica.

Other Germans were settled in the mountainous areas of parish like St. Ann. For the most part, they have intermarried with the local population that is predominantly Black.

I would strongly recommend that, before journalists and ad agency representatives make ignorant comments that reflect poorly on their employers, they take the time to do even a simple Google search and get their facts straight. If this is too difficult, perhaps media outlets should make a point of having more diverse teams. If you’re going to cover Asia or the Middle East, a couple of journalists who are familiar with those areas would be an asset to your team. If you plan to cover or speak out about topics related to the Caribbean, perhaps it would be a good idea to have some writers from the Caribbean on staff. (If you’re reading this blog post, please note, that I am Jamaican, based in Toronto, and up for the challenge.)

Some journalists just didn’t do their homework. Volkswagen did their homework. They consulted about 100 Jamaicans before they released the ads on Youtube.

So, if Jamaicans, by and large, aren’t offended, what is all the fuss about? I have no idea. If Jamaicans aren’t complaining, what’s the problem? I assure you, as Jamaicans, we are perfectly capable of speaking out about what we find offensive.

Some journalists and ad agency representatives are best to speak out about issues related to their own cultures if they have no understanding of the dynamics of other cultures.

Getting back to Barbara Lippert and Charles M. Blow, I wonder if they would have a problem with Mad White Jamaican who addressed the issue of stereotyping in his Youtube video that has gone viral:

Strong language alert. It’s funny but he is quite worked up about this issue.

Mad White Jamaican:  I’m really Jamaican (Video)

Update: Here  a real White Jamaican, Mad White Jamaican, responds to the Volkswagen “Be Happy” Commercial

Mad White Jamaican Re-mixes Volkswagen commercial.

In that regard, I would like to end by quoting a Jamaican proverb:

“Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight“.

Translation: Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you. In other words, “Mind your own business”.

Anne Thornley-Brown is the President of Executive Oasis International, a Toronto based management consulting firm specializing in team building, executive retreats, and corporate event planning. Services are offered in 12 countries including Jamaica.

Anne’s writing has been featured on a number of outlets including Incentive Magazine and Cvent Blog, where she contributes 5 times a week. She has been interviewed on CBC Radio One and by a number of publications including the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, the National Post, Profit Magazine, Canadian Business Magazine, The Times of India, and China Business Review.

Anne is also a professional actress and she has appeared in commercials for Casinorama, Canadian Women’s Foundation, and the Canadian Parapalegic Association. Her TV credits include the “Brothers” episode of Street Time in which she got to work with Giancarlo Esposito, the “All Around the Town” episode of the Mary Higgins Clark Mysteries, and the “Complicated” episode of the TV series Doc starring Billy Ray Cyrus.

Other Jamaican Bloggers Weigh in on Volkswagen Super Bowl Ads:

Also see:

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Jamaica Join me for a Mental Vacation

Jamaica – My Personal Picks to Beat the Winter Chill

Now I really can’t complain. There hasn’t been much snow this year. I’ve only had to scrape a little bit of snow off the car once and I haven’t had to shovel the driveway at all.  Yet, Toronto is in a deep freeze again and it’s expected to last for a week.
Before cabin fever has a chance to set, I think it’s time to take a mental vacation in  Jamaica. You’re welcome to join me.

Gardens and Waterfalls

In fact, whenever I need to get my mind off something unpleasant (like Friday when I had to get a dreaded needle  for some tests) this is where I go to distract myself. When I come into money, I’ll buy it myself. (One must be positive you know.)

Rafting

The other way to float your cares away is on the Rio Grande or the Martha Brae….rivers that is. With the new road on the North Coast, getting there is faster and easier than ever. Sit back and float along.

Beach Ride on Horseback

Here is another incredibly relaxing adventure that awaits you on the water. Wow, I’m glad I’ve hit the gym since then, so that I look less like a beach ball. Still I was happy and I always have fun on the beach ride.

Polo

Speaking about horses, can anything be more fun than the fast action of polo. I snapped this shot at Drax Hall.

Ruins Restaurant and Ocho Rios

I can think of no place I would rather dine when in Jamaica than at Ruins in Ocho Rios.

Friends and Family in my Hometown

When all is said and done, my favourite part of going back to Jamaica is spending time with friends and family. I spent the first 2 years of my life in Port Maria.

Photo Credits: Meram – Used With Permission

Even now that my grandparents are gone and my aunts and uncles have either passed away or migrated overseas, I get back as often as I can. After all, home is where the heart is and there’s no place like home.

So if you catch me daydreaming, don’t be too hard on me. At least now you’ll know where I’ve gone.

Now that you’ve had a taste of Jamaica, Executive Oasis International would be pleased to plan your team building or executive retreat the next time you take your team to Jamaica.

Visit Executive Oasis International Website

Request a Quote for Team Building in Jamaica Today

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Incentive Travel: Lessons from Hurricane Sandy

Generally, weather in the Caribbean is beautiful, but you never know. Even during hurricane season in the Western Hemisphere, major storms, particularly those that come late in the season, are rare. For example, one of my clients travelled to a beautiful Montego Bay resort for a 4-day group event that my company had organized. Some guests had extended their stay beyond the group event. Then came Hurricane Sandy.

Due to exceptional service by the airline, resort and DMC, my clients were comfortable and safe during Hurricane Sandy. and they returned safely to Canada at their scheduled departure time.

Bad weather happens. But before it does, here are 12 take-aways to help event planners prepare for when Mother Nature strikes or natural disasters occur.

  1. Ensure that hotel and airline emergency procedures, early departure and cancellation policies of selected are clearly stated in contracts signed by clients.Some airlines provide accommodation if flights are cancelled due to emergencies, natural disasters and severe weather. Others don’t. Some hotels extend the group rate if guests can’t depart on their scheduled date.
  2. Brief clients about possible emergency scenarios and the type of information required to provide assistance.
  3. File (or ensure that the client files) a list of all attendees and their hotels with the destination’s consulate or embassy.

    Include names and contact information for the members of the hotel’s M.I.C.E. team.Here are U.S., Canada and European Union consulates and embassies.

  4. Obtain emergency contact information for participant as well as information about allergies, food sensitivities and medical issues.
    Summarize this information in a spreadsheet for hotel(s).It doesn’t happen often but a few clients may object to asking employees to provide medical information. Ask the client to check with its legal departments about why this is important.As a compromise, prepare a short form in duplicate. Ask participants to provide the completed forms in sealed, envelopes with their names and marked confidential. Ask the company to provide the sets of envelopes to 2 members of the executive or HR team who are traveling with the group, In an emergency, provide the required envelopes to medical personnel. Shred or return the envelopes to individuals after the trip.
  5. U.S. companies should ask travelers to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). For Canada, registration is through Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
  6. Identify the emergency services number and locations of hospitals and clinics at your destination. 
    It’s 9-1-1 in the U.S. and Canada and 1-1-2 in the European Union.
  7. When there is a severe weather warning or an emergency, send a group list with more detailed information to the department that handles foreign emergencies for the country of origin of the majority of participants. This will be used if evacuation becomes necessary.
    Include names, dates of birth, mobile numbers and e-mail addresses, schedule arrival and departure dates. While many airlines and hotels no longer require this, passport numbers are important for emergency services.For Canadians, send it to Emergencies 24/7 operated by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
  8. Consult the airline website for alerts and flight updates.
  9. Get regular updates from Group Sales or the MICE Department at hotels.
  10. Brief your client and/or employees about their options. 
    Be sure that you let clients know about the requirements for duty of care so that they can make an informed decision. Some companies will insist that all employees return home immediately. Others will leave the decision up to employees if they have extended their stay after the group event is over.
  11. Stay in touch with individuals who have elected to remain at the destination.Your DMC can greatly assist you.
  12. During emergencies, use the services of Tourist Board or Convention Bureaus.
    During Hurricane Sandy, I was pleased that, by contacting @askjamaica on Twitter, the Jamaica Tourist Board was immediately able to contact the members of the group who had re-located outside the group block and quickly confirm that the guests were safe, comfortable and in good spirits.

Everything worked out fine for my clients. They had a great time in Jamaica and can hardly wait to return. The whole experience underscored best practices for incentive travel. I hope that you have found these tips beneficial.

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Jamaica 2010 Commercials Preview Featuring Usain Bolt: Fun on Location & Interviews

Jamaica 2010 TV Commercials: Video Preview Featuring Fun with Usain Bolt

I live in Toronto (which is blanketed with snow at the moment). Writing the recent features about Jamaica Incentive Travel really helped clear the dreaded cabin fever also known as the mid-winter blahs and the February blues. Believe you me, even as a Jamaican, I learned a lot when I was working on those features and it was great fun.

Behind the Scenes: On Location with Usain Bolt Shooting Jamaica Tourist Board TV Commercials all Over Jamaica

I recently stumbled across a preview of the new 2010 Jamaica Tourist Board TV commercials featuring Usain Bolt. Usain Bolt has been all over Jamaica shooting footage for the new marketing campaign. The TV commercials will first air during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. It looked like so much fun. There were even short interviews with Usain Bolt. So I thought I’d share it with you.

Here is a sneak preview. When the final commercials are available, I’ll come back and share add them:

Updated February 11, 2010

All 3 commercials are now on Youtube. Here is the first. When it finishes, you’ll see thumbnails for the other 2. Enjoy:



Updated February 7, 2010

See 3 New Jamaica Tourist Board TV Commercials with Usain Bolt

If you missed the Usain Bolt TV Commercials for Jamaica Tourist Board, don’t worry. They’ll be playing during the Vancouver Winter Olympics and coming soon to a TV screen near you. In the meantime you can see all 3 of them here at the Jamaica Tourist Board Website. They’re great:

Click Here for 2010 Jamaica Tourist Board TV Commercials with Usain Bolt

For more information about Jamaica see:

I’ve visited most of the places and tried most of the attractions. I also discovered some new ones for my next trip back home. For example, when I went to Hooves, the Taino visited hadn’t been completed. I look forward to seeing Luminous Lagoon, touring the Marley Coffee plantation in the Blue Mountains and trying dogsledding Jamaican style.

Jamaica Tourist Board Information

Follow Jamaica Tourist Board on Twitter @visitjamaicanow

For more information about Incentive Travel in Jamaica:

Follow Executive Oasis International on Twitter @executiveoasis