It’s Still Better in The Bahamas

My experience as a member of the Weber Shandwick Bahamas team has given me the opportunity to take journalists on amazing adventures to Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, the Exumas and coming soon, South Andros and Long Island. But I’ve recently come across a family photo that reminded me that press trips weren’t my first introduction to the island nation, its cruise ports or its ingenious branding campaigns.



Pictured in this circa 1990 photo are my dad, great-grandma, mom, me and my younger brother. (Incidentally, my brother and I probably only stopped punching each other long enough to smile for the camera.) The picture captures the excitement of boarding our very first family cruise on now defunct Premier Cruise line. As my shirt says, I knew it was Better in The Bahamas way before I was paid to know it.

My favorite part of the picture remains unseen. Hidden behind the big pink beach bag, my brother is sporting the same Bahamas shirt as me, because I told him he had to. How's that for being a brand advocate! It appears I joined The Bahamas team long, long before 2006.

Reel Triumph

In a recent issue of Esquire, comedienne Joan Rivers declared, "Don't expect praise without envy – unless you're dead." This makes me recall my recent bonefishing press trip to Grand Bahama Island, where I reeled in what could be considered a massive fish – at least by (bonefishing) industry standards. This was a triumph, not only because the fish was massive – did I mention the fish was massive because it was massive? – but because I led an all-male group of journalists to a charming, private fishing lodge nestled on a small cay just off Grand Bahama Island. This was a trip like no other, mainly because there were no locks on the doors, no phones in-room and the only way to locate my cabin at night was with a flashlight. Oh, and most of the lodge's guests said they worked in "wealth management." I think that's a low-key way of saying hedge funds.

Most of the journalists averaged between 5-8 bonefish on the first day, which is a great catch considering we were stalking the elusive bonefish. I caught about 11. This was not only one of my best memories of 2007, but one of my best press groups ever. With their egos intact, the guys cheered me on and treated me like a sister (respectfully).

Judith

Another Day in the Office

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. My controlled respiration was all I heard as I hovered just above the sand 50 feet below the surface of the sea. Air bubbles from my nose and mouth temporarily obstructed my vision, lingering in front of my mask before bursting upward toward Brendal’s boat. As I inhaled once more through my regulator, a glimmer of silver in the seemingly solid wall of azure caught my eye.

I ceased breathing for an instant as a seven-foot reef shark materialized out of the endless velvety blue curtain of water. With the steadiness of a metronome, the shark’s pointed tail effortlessly propelled it through the water - in my general direction. I wondered if it saw me there below, wide-eyed and paralyzed with awe. Slowly and purposefully, the shark made its way toward the reef. Were we in danger? I wasn’t scared.

I turned back toward the reef to signal the journalists on my Learn to Dive press trip of the shark’s presence. I placed my open palm on top of my head to imitate a dorsal fin and indicated with my arms spread wide that the shark was “this big.” One journalist excitedly turned his gaze toward the shark, but as swiftly as it emerged, the shark had disappeared back behind the curtain.

Angelene