Photos – Erik Nicolaisen, Lead Actor From Volkswagen’s Celebrated “Get Happy” Commercial Honored In Jamaica Alongside Grammy-Winning Musician, Jimmy Cliff

Jamaican music icon Jimmy Cliff and star of Volkswagen’s “C’Mon Get Happy” Super Bowl advertisement Erik Nicolaisen were honored at a cocktail reception at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Hosted by the Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch, the special guests included members of the tourism industry, business community and media.

Jimmy Cliff was praised for his stellar career, including last month’s Grammy Award win for “Best Reggae Album ‘Rebirth’”. Nicolaisen, who shot to prominence following his appearance in the recent VW Super Bowl commercial, was recognized for his role in providing significant positive exposure to the destination.

“The Jamaica Tourist Board felt it fitting to acknowledge both Jimmy Cliff and Erik Nicolaisen for their roles in bringing awareness to Jamaica,” said John Lynch, Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board. “Cliff has been a valuable representative for the island for many years, and Nicolaisen has provided tremendous exposure through his character in the commercial.”

Jimmy Cliff’s song “C’Mon…Get Happy” from his award-winning album ‘Rebirth’ was featured in the VW commercial in which Erik Nicolaisen appeared as Dave, a Midwestern office worker with a Jamaican accent.
 
Photo: At the reception, (L-R) Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill; internationally acclaimed Jamaican musician Jimmy Cliff; JTB Director of Tourism John Lynch and Erik Nicolaisen.

Nicolaisen, along with his Jamaican brother-in-law Robert Murphy, were in Jamaica as guests of the Board to experience the destination first hand. While on island Nicolaisen visited a number of iconic locations, including Mystic Mountain and Dunn’s River Falls, with Jamaica Tours providing ground transportation. He also experienced some of the island’s diverse accommodations such as Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Spanish Court in Kingston and the Ritz- Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay.

About Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2012. Also in 2012, Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote for the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination for the sixth consecutive year. Additionally, the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port was recognized as the World’s Leading Tourism Development Project for the second year, while Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, Sangster International Airport was voted the Caribbean’s Leading Airport and Montego Bay Convention Centre named Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre. The destination also received recognition as the World’s Most Romantic Destination and Caribbean’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination.