Behold Bahamian

 

Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox
On Location, Children's Bay, Exuma

Bahamian born celebrities Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox are working as Ministry of Tourism spokespersons in a multi-million dollar advertising campaign that aims to present the Bahamas to an international audience, showcasing the beauty and culture of the Bahamas to the world.  The concept of the campaign is for Bahamian faces who have made a name for themselves internationally, to represent their country as the images portraying stories being told of the beauty and culture and people of these islands.  The year round marketing campaign features the prominent Bahamian faces of international supermodel, Shakara Ledard, and former NBA star player, Rick Fox, with a goal of regaining prominence for the country to be known as the premier warm weather destination.
 

Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox on set of production
with Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe

“Behold” is the title of the campaign whose premier commercial aired during the Superbowl 2013.  Shot on location in January of this year, it celebrates the turquoise waters, stunning beaches, friendly people, and laid back lifestyle of the Bahamas, showcasing celebrities as they interact with the outstanding beauty of island life.  Poised to offer authentic hospitality, world class sailing, fishing, diving, and more, Fox and Ledard, who both spent their childhood in Nassau, are most familiar with the lifestyle of the Bahamas, with its appealing and absolute sense of escape. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

From the commercial "Behold"
The Islands of The Bahamas

 

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Shakara Ledard

Behold, a most poetic commercial that features the voice of a masculine Bahamian native, speaking of the natural beauty that soars above the heavens and dives below the sea, water so blue that it merges with the sky, sand so soft that it is remnant of a stroll in the clouds, and of the people, smiles that invite you to behold the “face of an entire nation.”  In this visual, Shakara, who can be seen walking out of the waters of the Children’s Bay, Exuma Cays, onto secluded beaches lined with palm trees, has been modeling since the age of 14.  Of her career as a model for top houses such as Sports Illustrated, Victoria’s Secret, Loreal, Levi’s, and Liz Claiborne, she has also been a film actress, and appeared in superstar music videos.

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Shakara Ledard

Proud to be Bahamian because of the morals, values, respect and honour of the people and community, Ledard says, “We need more of that in the world.”  She perceives that the Bahamas needs a boost in order to counteract the plunge in world economy and get back on top and says, “No matter where you are, don’t forget your roots.”  The mother of two young kids now resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina with her husband, and is very family oriented, coming from a close knit family herself.  “I am so proud to call this country my home”, says Shakara.

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Rick Fox

“Behold, the Bahamas are right next door and totally within your reach.” –Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism.  He goes on to say that “We are Bahamians, proud of our people, and with our people we are able to build our country collectively.”  Minister Wilchcombe also emphasizes that showing various aspects and components encourages investors.  Rick Fox who believes that “The Bahamas is a star in itself” promises that when we continue to send the message of seeing and experiencing the Bahamas, “it’s just gonna spread like wildfire.”

From the commercial "Behold"
Featuring Rick Fox

This commercial campaign featuring trailblazers Shakara Ledard and Rick Fox, is the first of many in a long term commitment to upgrade the promotion of the Bahamas and can be seen throughout the United States on television, billboards, and print ads, in many major American cities. (Link to youtube.com)

From the commercial "Behold"
The Islands of The Bahamas

Beyonce Bahamas

Beyonce Carter, in her campaign for H&M, has left her mark in this sand; the Bahamian sun sea and sand that is, in her music video commercial called, “Standing in the Sun.” (link to youtube)

 

Standing in the Sun
Beyoncé Carter
Campaign for H&M

On a white sand beach in the Bahamas, Beyonce showcases serene and exotic movements, in a cohesive bond with nature, as she can be seen singing and dancing.  In the wind as it blows, the fabric of her weightless gown propels in a surreal fantasy of the elements.  As the video shows, while dancing she kicks up the sand, throwing it in the air as she dances freely, getting grains on her skin, and in her hair, adorned by the fabric of life.  Then in the crystal clear blue waters, there she is splashing waves onto herself, perhaps seeking the cool refresh from the warmth of the sun shining and glistening down on her and the turquoise waters.  Finally, the tribal fires are burning in the contrasted darkness of the night, as she sings and dances, while modeling H&M swimsuits and dresses that flirt with the elements of mother nature.

 

 

“Can you feel the heat on my skin?’ she asks, as she portrays the most ethereal form and appears like a goddess of sun sand and sea, before us.  The calypso sounding song created for the H&M brand is hypnotic, as the video is actually a visual stimulant.  While she asks us if we can feel the heat, she is also asking if we can feel the sand and the wind and the water.  It is an entire experience that emphasizes the balance and harmony of nature’s elements, the way everything falls into place and flows into one song.  This song, meant to make us feel and be moved and react is filled with passion and the textured vibrations of life.

 

We welcome Mrs. Carter home to our tropical paradisiacal embassy of islands, fortress of sun sand and sea, as she becomes the star of our streets, making this house her home.  The proud mother to daughter Blue Ivy, was gifted by her husband, Jay-Z aka Sean Carter, with a 360 acre private island in the Bahamas as a 5-year anniversary gift.  The name of the island located near north Abaco is “Strangers Cay”, but they will be the most familiar faces around, certainly not strangers!  Rumored to have a Bahamian bloodline from her father, Matthew Knowles, Beyonce will have no trouble making this land her own.  We can look forward to many more visits from the Carter family, as they will surely be welcomed with Bahamaland hospitality on their return. 

 

For now, we can look out for more from the Beyonce/Mrs. Carter dynasty as she continues to make music and tour the world, as well as expanding her film career as the latest from this mega-superstar of the Bahamas is her role in the animated film, “Epic.”