Funky Buddha and Save the Manatee Club present Manatee Derby

The event also celebrates Funky Buddha Premium Hard Seltzer’s recent expansion into 8 new markets outside of Florida, including Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

John Linn, Marketing Director, Funky Buddha & Constellation Brands said: “Funky Buddha is excited to announce this unique event in partnership with Save the Manatee Club. Our hope is to bring awareness to the biggest issues facing our waters here in Florida, along with the impact of that pollution on our local manatees. And by bringing awareness, we’re hoping to encourage people to take action – plus, we think the Manatee Derby will be pretty funky and pretty entertaining, too.”

Cora Fernandez, Creative Director, the community adds: “Funky Buddha doesn’t do anything the ordinary way. So, we couldn’t take the ordinary approach to helping manatees. We needed a funky, unexpected idea that not only kept people entertained, but that portrayed these lovable sea cows as strong, heroic animals that you want to root for – and help save. As a creative team, it’s always special when we can create a campaign that makes you laugh while also helping a good cause. I mean, we got to make a manatee race. What else can we ask for?”

Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist and Executive Director, Save the Manatee Club also adds: “The threats that imperiled manatees face in their aquatic habitat are greater than ever before, as harmful algal blooms, caused by decades of pollution, are killing seagrasses, with tragic consequences for manatees. Save the Manatee Club is working with state and federal agencies as well as dedicated conservation partners to study the issue, restore water quality and seagrasses, advocate for stronger protections, and rescue and rehabilitate sick manatees. We are grateful that the support from Funky Buddha allows us to continue working on our mission to protect manatees and their habitat.”