Join me on an Antarctica Expedition

I'm going with Quark Expeditions on their Dec 10 - Dec 20, 2013 Antarctica expedition aboard the luxury Ocean Diamond and I am hopeful that a few adventurous travelers will want to join me!

Here is a very short video that gives you a glimpse of what we will do:

Link to Explore Our Frozen Planet with Quark Expeditions on YouTube.

Why Antarctica?

Ever since I was a child, I've always dreamed of visiting Antarctica. The idea of the white continent with no indigenous population at the bottom of the world makes me want to experience it for myself.

The scenery seems dazzling, with icebergs, mountains, and amazing animals like penguins and seals that don't fear humans. The 7th continent is a special place that fewer than 50,000 people per year will visit. I have always wanted to be one of them!

Antarctica is threatened due to climate change and there is a role for marketing and social media to communicate what's happening in one of the most stunning places on earth. I want to experience the continent firsthand so I can share my experiences and in a tiny way help keep the continent pristine for future generations.

I would like to experience Antarctica with like-minded people. If you're reading this, that means you! This is a trip to be shared. There are a few cabins available on the journey and I hope you will consider going.

What will we do on our journey to the bottom of the earth?

We depart from the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, Argentina (which is interesting in itself), cross the Drake Passage, and then explore the Antarctic Peninsula for a week.

During our expedition, we will live aboard the luxurious Ocean Diamond - with its comfortable cabins, great food, Internet connections(!) and a well-stocked bar(!!) - we will certainly not be roughing it.

There are daily adventures, usually by Zodiac to see penguins, icebergs, and other interesting things. We may have a chance to visit one of the research stations.

For the adventurous there will be opportunities to Sea-kayak and hike and if you're a little "out there", join me camping for one night and in the famous Quark Polar Plunge.

The ship includes experts on Antarctica and its wildlife and there will be guided trips from the ship as will as lectures in the evenings.

What about marketing and PR?

I am hopeful that a handful of explorers interested in the intersection of Antarctica and marketing will want to come along on the journey.

A maximum of 189 passengers will be aboard the ship and since the ship is filling fast, most of the passengers will not be part of our intrepid little group. We'll have plenty of time to get to know one another and dig into ideas about marketing and social media over meals and at the bar. Things are very, very informal onboard the ship and we will be free to do what we want.

I'll be joined on the trip by my wife Yukari Watanabe Scott @YukariWatanabe who is an author and social media maven in the Japanese language. She's written several books about Twitter (among other subjects.). She’s very knowledgeable about how to use social media to get noticed in the Japanese marketplace.

At one point I'm going to be giving a talk for anyone on the ship who wants to come. It is titled When You Return North: Sharing your experiences and becoming an Antarctic Ambassador and is about how each passenger can use social media to share what they experienced and help the continent to remain unspoiled. The talk will be geared towards beginners and I'll discuss how social networks are a great way to showcase interactions with penguins, seals and whales and how we experience the natural beauty of the water, ice, and land.

While we'll "talk shop" a little, mostly we're there to have fun and learn about Antarctica.

How to book a cabin

Quark is offering us a discount which is valid for the December 10, 2013 Antarctic Explorer voyage. The discount provides 20% off suites (quote code MK52) and 15% off regular cabins (quote code MK53). They do have single cabins available but those are not discounted. With a ship this small, cabins are in limited supply. The discount expires June 30, 2013.

To book a cabin or for more information on this trip (or Antarctic travel in general), visit Quark Expeditions or call Quark’s Polar Travel Advisers at 1-888-892-0073.

If you've read this far, you must be interested. You know you want to do it, right?! Perhaps Antarctica is on your bucket list. Or perhaps as our daughter said to us “Antarctica! YOLO!”

Comments

[Avil Beckford]

David,

This sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I will seriously think about it. These are the kind of experiences that I'd like to have. Right now I am working on a Virtual Literary World Tour where I am reading books by authors from around the world. I plan to combine literature with technology, geography and history. This experience is changing me, so I can imagine how going to Antarctica would change me. Thanks for extending the invitation and I like that it's only for a week. I will pass on the camping part though.

Avil

[David Meerman Scott]

Hi Avil - I know, right?! Doesn't it sound awesome! In my case, I am on a quest to deliver a speech in all 7 continents (I have done so in 6). So Antarctica is not only a childhood dream but also a business goal. I hope you can join. Camping optional. David

[Liz_Harmon]

This sounds like an amazing trip and a great way to use social media to try and make a difference. Good luck and enjoy it!

[Keith at KendallPress]

David, this sounds like one of those amazing journeys that few get to take. I like all the aspects you are combining into this once in a lifetime travel location. I'm interested in going, but not sure it's even remotely possible this year.

However, Kendall PRess is glad to offer support and participation by broadcasting, blogging, re-tweeting and amplifying photos (sigh)and whatever real-time-connections that do work out from Antarctica if I can't be on your end of the expedition. Every expedition needs a base camp. Can we be base camp Kendall Square for you?

Here's your first volunteer.
Keith

[Josh Hill]

David,

This is a tremendous offer that I recommend to anyone here who can make it happen. Just make it happen. I did a similar tour in 2010 and it was worth every penny to see the White Continent with experts and in comfortable accommodations.

Antarctica is the last pristine place on Earth and worth a visit at least once if you can. And to spend time with like minded marketers is a great bonus.

Bring any camera, but if you want action wildlife shots you'll need the fancy DLSR with telephoto lenses. Make sure you have a big SD card too :) I do recommend bringing waterproof boots, gloves, and pants. The other gear is probably not needed.

Have

[David Meerman Scott]

Hi Keith! It's a once in a lifetime. If not this year, you should plan to do it later. Sure, I'd love to have you amplify the media coming out from the 7th continent.

Josh - I appreciate you speaking with me earlier this year about your experiences in Antarctica. Your enthusiasm is one reason why I made this trip a reality this year. Thanks for jumping in here with your first-hand impressions.

[Jeff Reglin]

That will be a wonderful trip and an experience of a lifetime. I watched the video of the Polar Plunge you shared, wow! Will you be jumping in? Seems like great material for a blog post about "taking the plunge for . . ."

Jeff

[David Meerman Scott]

Hi Jeff -- Yes! I am going to do it all - camp, kayak, hike, and plunge! I am hopeful that I'll end up with a bunch of blog posts about the experience.

[Colin Warwick]

Folks, for a preview of the new rules of marketing and PR in Antarctica please check out David's video with Keri Nelson holding his World Wide Rave poster at Wilkes Piedmont Glacier, Marble Point at the 3m:12s point of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4KHmm566I

[David Meerman Scott]

Colin - thanks for remembering!!!

[Colin Warwick]

David, you're welcome! That was the high point of the video for me. It sealed the whole "this really is world wide" idea for me. BTW, how on earth did you get that clip?

[David Meerman Scott]

Colin - I got people holding the poster from 6 continents and wanted to get someone in Antarctica. So.... Twitter of course! I just tweeted if anyone knew anyone in Antarctica who could do it. That day I was introduced to Kari and within about 10 days she had my poster and I got the clip! Social media rocks.

[Colin Warwick]

Wow! That's amazing... The title for your next book should be "Zero Degrees of Separation" (double pun intended) ;-)

[Look]

This is actually an amazing trip. I wishes to have chance to be there.