SEAWORLD ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LAUREN ALAINA TO PROMOTE NEW ATTRACTION, ANTARCTICA: EMPIRE OF THE PENGUIN
Orlando, Fla. – SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ has partnered with award-winning country artist Lauren Alaina to perform the official theme song for the new attraction at SeaWorld® Orlando, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, opening May 24, 2013.
Alaina recorded two songs for SeaWorld, including the theme song for the ride in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and a remix version called “Antarctica: One World, One Family.” Alaina also will be performing the song live at SeaWorld Orlando for the attraction grand opening the week of May 24th. The remix version will be available for free download at www.SeaWorldOrlando.com/Antarctica starting May 9. Alaina is currently in the studio working on her forthcoming sophomore album, and is scheduled to perform her new single “Barefoot And Buckwild” on American Idol Thursday, May 9, airing nationwide on Fox networks.
“I have such great memories of growing up and going to SeaWorld with my family, so being a part of the theme park and their new attraction is so exciting,” says Alaina. “Recording the official theme song for the ride was so much fun – SeaWorld even brought a penguin named Pete to the studio to help inspire me!”
Georgia native Alaina captured America’s hearts when she appeared on Season 10 of American Idol. Her first album, Wildflower, debuted at no.1 on the iTunes Country chart and no.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 2011, and was the best-selling digital album by a debut country female. Alaina has been nominated for several Teen Choice and CMT Music Awards, and recently took home the Artist of the Year: New Artist trophy at the 2012 American Country Awards.
Alaina is also the Special Olympics Project UNIFY® Ambassador for North America and traveled to Pyeongchang, South Korea in January for the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. In celebration of this partnership and their mutual support, SeaWorld will make a donation to Special Olympics. A Special Olympics athlete and family members also will receive a special visit to SeaWorld Orlando for the grand opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, courtesy of Lauren Alaina.
“We’re excited to continue our strategy of expanding beyond family theme parks into different types of entertainment enterprises,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “We’re so thrilled to welcome Lauren into our family and look forward to working with her on this project and many more into the future.”
For the behind-the-scenes story of Lauren Alaina recording the theme song for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, watch an exclusive webisode at www.SeaWorldOrlando.com/Antarctica .
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable its customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world we share. The Company owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Shamu® and Busch Gardens®. Over its more than 50 year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind collection of approximately 67,000 marine and terrestrial animals. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests. In addition to its theme parks, the company has recently begun to leverage its brands into media, entertainment and consumer products. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE: SEAS). Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at www.seaworldentertainment.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company’s press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail.
About Lauren Alaina
Georgia native Lauren Alaina captured America’s hearts when she appeared on Season 10 of American Idol. Her first album, Wildflower, debuted at no.1 on the iTunes Country chart and no.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 2011, and was the best-selling digital album by a debut country female. She was also the youngest female to have her album debut that high since LeAnn Rimes 15 years prior. Alaina has been nominated for several Teen Choice and CMT Music Awards, and recently took home the Artist Of The Year: New Artist trophy at the 2012 American Country Awards. She has toured with superstars Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Sugarland. She is also the Special Olympics Project UNIFY® Ambassador for North America, and traveled to Pyeongchang, South Korea in January for the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Lauren is currently in the studio working on her forthcoming sophomore album. For more information, visit www.laurenalainaofficial.com or follow her on twitter @Lauren_Alaina. Lauren Alaina has partnered with SeaWorld to promote their new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, by recording the ride’s official theme song. Lauren Alaina appears courtesy of Mercury Nashville / 19Recordings / Interscope Records.