Bernard Stewart, ESPN’s vice-president of Caribbean and Maritime Media, underlined the international sport network’s commitment to the region and noted that the company is actually looking for even greater integration opportunities through the addition of more region-specific programming.
Stewart, who is one of over 5,000 guests aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas for this year’s ESPN Super Bowl at Sea, the third instalment of what is fast becoming a calendar event for cruise and NFL fanatics, told The Jamaica Gleaner that is company is focused on deepening its roots in the market and giving the people more of what they want to see.
“We are absolutely here to stay,” said Stewart.
“I like to feel that the longevity of our company is based on the fact that we view what we do as a permanent part of life and we are here to be a major part of the Caribbean for a long time.”
“When I first took this assignment, we made a couple of stops in the region in the first month or so and I made the statement that everyone knows ESPN, but they don’t know the value of the ESPN brand to them as people of the Caribbean,” he added.
“My mission is to make sure that everybody understands that when they see ESPN, they feel a connection beyond just watching something on their television.
We took a look at all of the countries that are celebrating monumental anniversaries within the next five years or so, and it is for us to find those stories and tell them in a compelling way. I am happy that we have a solid strategy and that we have a few projects under our belt now,” added Stewart.
