Sunshine Matters

Media Coverage Overview – June 25, 2010

KEY TOPICS

Traditional print and online media coverage report on recent oil spill updates, discuss VISIT FLORIDA’s advertising budget and marketing plan, and the impact the oil spill has had on Florida tourism.  See highlights below from the last 24 hours.

VISIT FLORIDA PROACTIVE MEDIA ASSISTS

VISIT FLORIDA’s Public Relations Department assisted a journalist on assignment with AAA Magazine about Florida vacation features.  Additional ongoing proactive pitching continues.

RECENT BREAKING HEADLINES

Oil-soaked perception slowing tourism, Gulf Breeze News http://www.gulfbreezenews.com/news/2010-06-24/Island_News/Oilsoaked_perception_slowing_tourism.html  (In this report: Article points out that Americans quickly assumed that the entire coast was covered in oil causing businesses on Pensacola Beach and other local and regional tourist destinations to plummet by as much as 30 percent.  The article cites national news organizations for some of the confusion, but also points out how local organizations are partnering together to change the perception and bring back tourists.)

Beach wedding biz impacted by oil spill, NBC2 News http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=12698591 (In this report: Article discusses how the oil spill is impacting beach wedding destinations throughout the state, not only in the affected areas.)

Has BP oil spill canceled summer on the Gulf Coast, Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0623/Has-BP-oil-spill-canceled-summer-on-the-Gulf-Coast (In this report: Article says cancellation rates have reached 80 percent at vacation properties along some parts of the Gulf Coast, including Pensacola Beach, due to the BP oil spill.  Tourists are concerned that if they can’t go in the water, they don’t want to go to the beach at all.  The alarming numbers have officials worried not only for the short term, but also long term.)

RECENT BREAKING VIDEO

Fla. Tourism Could Take Big Hit, CBS News http://www.metacafe.com/watch/cb-8WkVb_JALxduQypdsSTJJiGmPcYCbhxW/fla_tourism_could_take_big_hit/   (In this report: The story reports from Destin, with the opening shot showing crowds of vacationers enjoying the beaches in Florida.  However, the main focus of the story shows the behind the scenes efforts officials are doing to ward off what could be an economic disaster.  An official from the local tourism office (Escambia) was interviewed and VISIT FLORIDA ads are visible in the piece.)

Oil Spill Threatens Fla. Tourism, CBS News http://www.metacafe.com/watch/cb-MUX9VgvA_TCmcyOceL6TmMxh0epk8YiM/oil_spill_threatens_fla_tourism/