MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Gregoire Lindblad Expeditions (212) 261-9008 [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY, September 14, 2007 – Lindblad Expeditions (LEX), a world leader in sustainable tourism, has announced its “Live An Issue of National Geographic Aboard a Lindblad Expedition” campaign – a multi-faceted initiative designed to connect, educate and engage interested global citizens in a movement to protect the environment.
The Live An Issue initiative harnesses the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of LEX - a pioneering expedition travel company - to present a multimedia platform of information designed to help individuals become more aware of the issues facing the world’s remote and pristine places. This awareness building campaign benefits from LEX’s unique partnership with National Geographic which includes collaboration on exploration, research, technology and conservation efforts to provide extraordinary opportunities for learning and discovery.
Live An Issue provides an opportunity for interested individuals to explore the world on two levels – regionally and thematically. Individuals thereby have the opportunity to simultaneously explore the areas of the globe that they could experience “on-board” with Lindblad Expeditions while learning about key conservation issues facing our planet. Initially, the campaign will focus on Marine Conservation and Global Warming, highlighting the work of noted experts Dr. Enric Sala, Dr. Sylvia Earle, David de Rothschild and Sven-Olof Lindblad. Many of these experts are National Geographic Emerging or Explorers-in-Residence and bring to Lindblad Travelers the expertise, passion and accomplishments of acclaimed explorers, scientists and conservationists.
“Live An Issue gets straight to the heart of our company’s mission and values,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, President of Lindblad Expeditions. “It builds on our many organizational efforts to encourage greater awareness and participation in global conservation by highlighting some of the most pressing issues of our time.”
In discussing this unique moment in history when there is an opportunity to build greater environmental awareness and take action, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, remarked, “By having this fleet that goes all over the world - taking people and bringing them together to see the issues, to enjoy the wonder of wildlife and wild places – it can get people thinking in new ways and can inspire them to go home and take action. Because of the efforts of Lindblad Expeditions with National Geographic, there is real hope for the future.”
Key elements of the Live An Issue campaign include advertisements in all National Geographic Magazines directing individuals to http://www.expeditions.com/Live_an_Issue301.asp to learn more about the dire issues facing our oceans and our poles. Educational resources on the site include videos and interviews with experts; an Ocean Friendly Seafood Guide; and a spotlight on the work of other organizations devoted to conservation. Key media elements will be rotated and added to over time, growing the campaign scope and bringing additional issues to the public.
About National Geographic
The 116-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. It reaches more than 270 million people each month through its five magazines, the National Geographic Channel, books, films, videos, maps and interactive media. The Society has funded more than 7,500 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. National Geographic’s travel products and services include National Geographic Traveler and Adventure magazines, travel guide books, maps and National Geographic Expeditions, the Society’s travel program that operates more than 100 trips each year to destinations around the globe.
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company providing voyages in Galapagos, Antarctica, Baja California, Alaska, the Arctic, and beyond. Sven Lindblad has received many environmental awards including the U.N. Programme Global 500 Award and most recently, recognition by HRH, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for his dedication to the conservation and environmental stewardship of the Galapagos archipelago. The company has also received numerous awards, including the #1 Small-Ship Cruise Line (Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Value Awards 2006); #2 Tour Operator (Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Value Awards 2006); “The Best Ships in the World” and “The Best Itineraries” (Conde Nast Traveler: Truth in Travel Awards 2006).
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