Culture, content bring NBC 'Today' to J'can shores

Island fever has taken over the NBC morning show 'Today' as the US media team touched down in Jamaica and headed straight to Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios for a live broadcast on Thursday.

Swapping the usual studio setting for crystal-blue waters and white-sand beaches, the show aired to millions of viewers across the United States. It featured Jamaican stars Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, with enthusiastic hotel guests joining as audience members. The broadcast also highlighted the beauty and resilience of the island’s western region as it continues to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.

The NBC team is also set to roll out a series of features over two days, exploring Jamaica’s cultural, social, and gastronomic offerings.

The NBC morning show's sunrise special featured Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. She told co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones that Jamaica was more than just a destination. It was a lifestyle — one that can only be truly understood by visiting and immersing oneself in the experience.

Ralph was on hand to share with the crew some history on the island and what makes it unique. "It's very easy to represent Jamaica because what's not to love? Somebody was going through my filmography recently and said to me, 'You know, I think you have mentioned Jamaica in just about every film, every show, every radio, and TV interview you have ever done', and I said, 'Why not?' For me, it is easy to talk about the things that I love, and Brand Jamaica is it for me as it resonates in my being every day."

Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett were also on hand to witness the live show on the beach, and Bartlett told The Gleaner that this kind of publicity was exactly what was needed to let the world know that, despite a Category 5 hurricane, Jamaica is still open for business.

“Melissa may have bent us up a little, but she didn’t break us. The resilience of the Jamaican people is evident, and certainly the resort here is a true reflection of how strong the recovery has been," said Bartlett.

On site to witness all of the activities, Tourism Marketing Consultant Anthony Edwards said Brand Jamaica has never shone brighter. “To be showcased with the sea and sand and marketing our tourism product to over nine million homes in the USA with three of Jamaica’s top ambassadors is a phenomenal achievement," said Edwards.

As an artiste who has always held our flag high wherever he performs, Sean Paul shared that he was happy to be asked to get on board, as any opportunities to hoist the black, green and gold are ones that he is definitely down for. “For me, Jamaica has always had a First World culture and product. As a kid, I was told that my grandmother moved from England to come live here, so that made me feel that this was a First World nation. I feel proud to know that so many people love our culture and our people. We have so much to offer the world. Last night I saw a post about how many indigenous creatures are in Jamaica, not just our Doctor Bird, but also animals and plants, so it’s a complete ecosystem by itself, which is just awesome to me. So big up to NBC who saw the light and want to be a part of it," said Sean Paul.

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com

Editor's Note: A previous verious of this story misidentified Tourism Marketing Consultant Anthony Edwards as Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. We regret the error.