Jerne Partners, headed by Tim Morgan, is partnering with former Open Jaw editor Lynn Elmhirst’s PBS cruise show, World’s Greatest Cruises.
The partnership aims to highlight the benefits of working with an expert travel advisor when booking a cruise.
"It’s an honor for Jerne and our community of top travel advisors to be featured as World’s Greatest Cruises’ travel retail partner on PBS stations from coast to coast,” said Tim Morgan, CEO of Jerne.
“We know that travel advisors and their agencies across the USA and Canada will benefit from the association with this unique, high production-value travel program on esteemed public television stations.”
World’s Greatest Cruises is PBS's first and only cruise travel TV series.
Season 1 is airing in three-quarters of the top 25 markets and on stations from coast to coast. ‘Border’ PBS stations in the USA also broadcast into Canada, reaching all three of the top Canadian markets.
Season 2 includes episodes featuring transformative cruise experiences in the Antarctic, the Arctic, North America, Europe, and the Caribbean aboard Seabourn, Viking, Scenic, Emerald, and Cunard ships.
“Connecting Jerne’s community of top travel advisors with PBS viewers who love cruise travel and who are inspired to cruise by the stories we tell about life-changing cruise experiences around the world,” Lynn Elmhirst, executive producer and host of World’s Greatest Cruises, added, “will ensure cruise travelers have the best booking experience and service – and support local businesses.”
As Season 2 of World’s Greatest Cruises premieres on 11SEP, 2024, viewers who visit the program’s website and are interested in the product are invited to connect with Jerne’s travel advisors across the USA and Canada.
Cumulatively, Jerne’s community of travel advisors has verified annual sales exceeding US$1 billion across their individual agency affiliations.
“We know cruising is gaining in popularity, with more new-to-cruise travellers than ever,” said Morgan.
“This partnership is a win for everyone. Advisors will connect with new cruise customers in support of their travel agencies and consortia, and new cruise travelers will be planning their vacations with the best in the business.”
Compared to other TV networks in the USA, PBS travel program viewers are 27% more likely to take 3+ vacations per year, 37% more likely to engage a travel agent, and 34% more likely to have taken two cruises in the last three years. Engaged in their communities, they are among the most influential members of their professional and social spheres: 22% more likely to be a ‘community super-influential’ and 19% more likely to be a ‘travel influential.’ (Sources: Ipsos/ Nielsen/ MRI Doublebase)
"World’s Greatest Cruises and the PBS viewing audience is a match made in heaven,” said Elmhirst.
“Through our partnership with Jerne, we can help viewers make the dream cruise experiences they see on PBS' TV stations and online channels a reality for themselves on the cruise lines whose experiences we bring to life on screen.”
