‘Forever Marilyn’ gives Palm Springs $800,000 worth of free promotion

The organizers behind Forever Marilyn, a 26 ft. tall statue at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive, announced sculpture has brought international media attention to Palm Springs, worth an estimated $800,000.

“We are delighted by the press coverage of Forever Marilyn,” said Tim Ellis, vice-chairman of P.S. Resorts. “She’s created media attention all over the world, which we know will bring more visitors to our valley throughout the year that the sculpture is with us. “

“The results, compiled through a report generated through Vocus Online Media and PR Software, included national television coverage on the CBS Morning News, the front page of the Los Angeles Times and multiple stories in the Huffington Post, Yahoo.com, USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. The Associated Press wire service alone netted 222 stories about Forever Marilyn, Ellis said.

Coverage spanned the globe from the U.K. to Taiwan, and although the results are being reported for the entire month of May, over 80 percent of the coverage was generated after the sculpture’s arrival on May 14.

Approximately $100,000 was raised by private contributors to fund this exhibit. Brighthaus Marketing of Palm Springs brought the idea of hosting Forever Marilyn to city leaders who, in turn, enlisted the help of P.S. Resorts.

Forever Marilyn is on loan from The Sculpture Foundation, a charitable and educational organization dedicated to providing exhibitions and contemporary landmark public artworks for communities. The collection, which includes more than 150 artists and currently valued at over $50 million dollars, is on view in urban centers, small towns, regional parks and cultural institutions worldwide.

Visit www.sculpturefoundation.org for additional details.

Forever Marilyn is scheduled to be on exhibit in Palm Springs through June 2013.