Disney marketing executives and industry partners representing multimillion-dollar U.S. companies were in conclave on Grand Bahama Tuesday hammering out ways to market Pirates of Caribbean II & III, and exploring how the Bahamas can figure prominently in those marketing campaigns.
Approximately 25 industry partners including McDonalds, Volvo, Kellogg’s and Northwest Airlines were attending a Disney Partners Conference ahead of the scheduled filming of the motion picture films on Grand Bahama in September, according to Mike Williams, director of field marketing for Disney.
“We are working with the Bahamas to figure out a way to sell the Bahamas. [The government] has invited us here so all these partners as well as my team can begin giving away trips to the Bahamas and get people thinking about traveling to the Bahamas,” Mr. Williams told the Bahama Journal.
The conclave was being held at the Our Lucaya Resort.
Mr. Williams said marketing officials are hoping that the talks would lead to the formulation of a plan through which Grand Bahamians might also be able to figure prominently in promotional efforts for the films.
He pointed out that due to the success of Pirates of the Caribbean, parts II & III of the film are being shot at the same time in various locations including the Bahamas.
The Disney films, which the government expects will pump some $30 million into Grand Bahama’s economy, are currently on hiatus. Disney officials explained that filming will recommence at the Bahamas Films Studios and will run through the end of the year.
The film productions on Grand Bahama are also expected to boost the island’s economy through the booking of hotel rooms and ground transportation operators by production teams during the filming.
Tom Gustafson, regional casting director for the films recently told the Journal that casting crews would return to island in mid-August to re-start the process of selecting paid extras.
According to the motion picture company’s official website, the films here wrapped two weeks earlier than expected due to “uncertain logistical conditions in The Bahamas.” It was stated that production would resume this month in Los Angeles, California.
The filming at the Bahamas Film Studios in Gold Rock Creek, East Grand Bahama, hinges on the completion of a massive water tank constructed to accommodate large ships that will be used for various film shoots.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe recently indicated in the House of Assembly that Disney’s filming hiatus on the island was linked, in part, to the tank not being completed in time for the scheduled filming.
Paul Quigley, chief operating officer for the studios said in a recent press release that the film’s executive producer and director visited the Bahamas Film Studios filming tank in June to inspect the progress of construction.
“Both said they were very pleased with the facility and even referred to it as one of ‘the world’s best’,” he said.
“The schedule change is actually a blessing as it allows the opportunity to make some design changes as requested by both [men]. Ultimately, these changes will make a better tank,” Mr. Quigley added.
Disney expects Pirates of the Caribbean II & III to hit theatres in July 2006.
By: Sharon Williams, The Bahama Journal
