This is the submission I wrote to Tommy Bahama on, “Why Me.”

Tommy Bahama represents a refined and unhurried lifestyle. Your company often points to the idea of Tommy Bahama as the guide in your design philosophy. It is with this same ‘Tommy’ yardstick that I think you must choose your first Rumologist.

This campaign is brilliant not because it hasn’t been done before but because, you are doing it better. You are adding your high standards. Equally, the person you choose must also be better than those normally chosen in such campaigns. They must not only know their way around rum but be far more.

Enjoying an evening at Corsairs, Jost van Dyke, BVI ©2011 Carl Grooms

Just like Tommy. Your requirements for the best Rumologist should include his/her comfort in the spotlight. Do they know more about rum than just mixing it? Have they done incredible things in their own lives? What kind of Tommy style adventures can they tell first hand? Have they traveled the islands, or the world? Do they really know what living the island lifestyle is all about? Will people in your company feel comfortable having your new Rumologist, an outsider, representing the brand in a very public role all over the country? A long list to be sure.

Let me tell you how I fulfill and excel in each of these for you. I am very comfortable on camera. I have received media training from some of the largest PR firms in the U.S. I direct and often appear in multiple videos per week. I have been a featured speaker at numerous conferences. When I work with your creative crews it will save you time and money because I can anticipate their requirements and deliver on mine.

Chillaxin' on Norman Island by the Willie T ©2011 Carl Grooms

I know rum, I love rum. I’ve recently attended the Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami where I tasted over 50 different rums. I was invited to create a video for Siesta Key Rum, an award winning new micro-distillery. I am friends with many of the Rum XP judges. New rum companies send me free bottles to review in hopes I like it and influence my readers.

Tommy Bahama is often portrayed as an adventurer. I believe whomever you choose for Rumologist should have lived the life of adventure. I’ve landed jets on aircraft carriers. Sailed across the Pacific and Atlantic, many times. I’ve run with the bulls in Pamplona and jumped from the world’s highest bungee jump in South Africa. I’m a former ultra-marathon runner.

Tommy Bahama is also well traveled, often to places well off the beaten path, not to mention his charitable heart. I grew up in Africa, SE Asia, Europe and The Middle East. I took my family for a one year trip around the world, creating a book which we now sell to help build schools in Africa called, “Portraits of Our World“.

A special day visiting with Foxy. British Virgin Islands ©2011 Carl Grooms

Tommy Bahama to his core loves islands and the coastal lifestyle. I write a popular blog called, “Coastlines & Tan Lines”. Back in June I wrote a story about my favorite old Tommy Bahama hat. It was one of my most read posts. You should check it out. I didn’t write that story because I knew you would be doing this competition, I’m a true Tommy fan.

I have thousands of people who read my take on life in the little latitudes at my blog, on twitter and Facebook. I am in the islands exploring as much as possible. Recently I spent two weeks in the Virgin Islands and another in Grenada. Next month it’s Key West, where I am a co-sponsor of a charity bar crawl to raise money for military families stationed in Key West. Thereafter, I’m off to St. Marteen.

A perfect island day in Tortola ©2011 Carl Grooms

When your new Rumologist shows up to a public event or to your many restaurants you will need that person to be a master with rum, fluent about the islands, be able to tell stories of adventure and really truly enjoy meeting people. I submit to you that I am your man. As a professional you will never have to worry that I won’t show up on time and stay late. I will always represent myself and your brand with utmost respect.

Best of all, I know how to Relax Responsibly.

Appreciating the beauty of the moment ©2011 Carl Grooms

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