CALIFORNIA TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMMISION LAUNCHES “MISCONCEPTIONS” ADVERTISEMENT
Betty White, Kim Kardashian, Jason Mraz, Jonas Brothers, Gustavo Dudamel among Myth Busters
Sacramento, CA, October 6-California is the land of legend: doesn’t everyone drive a convertible, own a winery, surf, live in a bikini, or act like a rock star?
Well, not everyone – and the California Travel and Tourism Commission’s new “Misconceptions” television ad pokes fun at many of these stereotypes, while showcasing the State’s abundance of attractions for visitors in a new TV ad The advertisement again features an all-star cast including Betty White, Kim Kardashian, Olympic skier Shannon Bahrke, chef Michael Chiarello, LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel and musicians The Jonas Brothers and Jason Mraz
“We’re encouraging travelers from around North America to ‘Find Yourself Here’ in California,” said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of the California Travel & Tourism Commission. “And we’ve chosen personalities for this campaign that represent the California lifestyle in world-class sports, great cuisine, the environment, popular and classical music, and entertainment.”
Launching across Canada on October 6, the ad features locations around California from Squaw Valley ski slopes to San Diego beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwoods, and wine country to Venice Beach. Spectacular scenery and friendly faces abound.
About the cast:
- Two Olympic medals (Bronze in 2010 and Silver in 2002) crown Shannon Bahrke’s freestyle skiing career. Bahrke started skiing at the age of three and has been a member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team and three Olympic Teams (Salt Lake City, Torino and Vancouver Winter Games). She is the founder of Silver Bean Coffee.
- Michael Chiarello is an award‐winning chef, Emmy‐winning Food Network host, tastemaker behind the NapaStyle retail company, highly rated vintner, and noted cookbook author. Throughout his career, Michael has combined his Southern Italian roots with Napa Valley living to pioneer culinary and lifestyle trends.
- Gustavo Adolfo Dudamel Ramírez, 29-year-old Venezuelan conductor and violinist, is currently music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Los Angeles, California, principal conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony in Gothenburg, Sweden, and artistic director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar in Caracas, Venezuela.
- American pop boy band The Jonas Brothers have sold more than eight million albums worldwide, having gained popularity from the Disney Channel. Brothers Kevin, Joe and Nick also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock and its sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. And in 2008, the group won the Breakthrough Artist award at the American Music Awards.
- Kim Kardashian is a television personality, producer, actress, and model, known for her E! reality series in which she stars with her family, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Kim has launched multiple fragrances; guest starred on numerous shows and competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
- Jason Mraz’ stylistic influences include reggae, pop, rock, folk, jazz, bossa nova and hip hop. With “Make It Mine” and “Lucky,” Mraz won two awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2010 52nd Grammy Awards. Jason owns an avocado farm in Northern California.
- Betty White has won seven Emmy awards and received 20 Emmy nominations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_White#cite_note-thr-2 over the course of her career, including being the first woman ever to receive an Emmy for game show hosting. In May 2010, White became the oldest person to guest-host Saturday Night Live, for which she also received a Primetime Emmy Award.
The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $87.7 billion annually in California, $15.6 billion of which is international; support jobs for 881,000 Californians; and generate $ 5.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free California vacation packet, visit www.visitcalifornia.com.