Bermuda and Beyonce linked in marketing campaign in launch of new album
BENTONVILLE – Approximately 300 million Wal-Mart customers are expected to see and hear Beyonce’s flattering review of Bermuda as a vacation destination according to Wal-Mart Corporation officials.
The video is being shown in 3,500 Wal-Mart retail locations in the United States.
The video production, shot largely in Bermuda, consists of Beyonce’s Bermuda Music Festival performance, her House of Dereon clothing line photo shoot in Bermuda and her endorsement of the island’s tourism product. The video is part of the promotion for Beyonce’s third solo album – “I Am… Sasha Fierce” which goes on sale worldwide Tuesday, November 18.
The same video is currently running on the Wal-Mart retail website in the “Soundcheck” section, http://soundcheck.walmart.com/beyonce.aspx.
Wal-Mart will run the online component indefinitely and the in-store component will run between November 1st and November 30th, 2008, three to six times per hour. In store consumption of the video promotion is expected to be 300 million people, countless more will see it on the web.
“The Wal-Mart album promotion was always part of the Bermuda Music Festival marketing plan,” said Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. Ewart F. Brown, “but the full-throated endorsement and unreserved approval Beyonce showered on our country and our people went beyond all expectations. Beyonce is one of the world’s most marketable performers, she travels to the most beautiful places in the world and to know she ranks Bermuda so highly is really something special for all Bermudians.
“Last week I dropped Beyonce a note to personally thank her for her kind remarks.”
Beyonce performed in Bermuda on October 2nd, 2008, as part of the Bermuda Music Festival put on by the Bermuda Department of Tourism. It was her first visit to Bermuda.
Beyonce and the Premier of Bermuda Ewart Frederick Brown pose for a photo backstage at the Bermuda Music Festival.
In an e-mail to the Grammy award-winning singer last week the Premier wished her well on the soon-to-be-released album and extended her an invitation to return to Bermuda.
The Premier said in part: “Your endorsement of our beautiful country and people was truly music to my ears. I cherish your glowing review of Bermuda as much as that spectacular performance you gave during our Music Festival.
“Take care and continued blessings. We can’t wait to welcome you and your family back to Bermuda sometime in the near future.”
The Bermuda Music Festival is a marquee event on the Department of Tourism calendar designed to generate marketing buzz and excitement for the Bermuda tourism product.