Premier Dr. Ewart Brown has praised Don Coleman, chief executive officer of the Bermuda Tourism advertising agency for being featured in The New York Times.

Mr. Coleman was featured in a series called "The Boss" which appears in the newspaper's Jobs section in which the heads of companies talk about their careers.

A statement released by Dr. Brown also noted that GlobalHue had also been named by advertising trade AdWeek as Multi-Cultural Agency of the Decade.

In the article, Mr. Coleman describes how he moved from being a successful college and professional football player into advertising, focusing on multi-cultural advertising.

Dr. Brown said: "Bermuda's assorted media outlets have been quick to air criticisms, distortions and outright fabrications about the ability and qualifications of GlobalHue to provide service to the people of Bermuda.

"Meanwhile the larger world, free of political agendas and blinkered vision has come to the conclusion that GlobalHue and their leadership are worthy of recognition and praise.

"It is my hope that those who have been quick to air criticisms will be as quick to acknowledge positive news about this innovative and exciting company."

The statement said GlobalHue had been credited in 2007 with attaining the highest visitor arrival numbers for Bermuda in 20 years.

In 2008, visitor arrivals fell 16 percent before edging up by 0.7 percent in 2009. Air arrivals rose by about 6,500 from 298,973 to 305,548 in 2007 before falling to 263,613 in 2008 and 235,860 last year.

GlobalHue came under criticism from Auditor General Larry Dennis in 2009 who said the agency had been overpaid by $1.8 million by the Ministry of Tourism.

Both the agency and the Department of Tourism denied the claims, with GlobalHue accusing Mr. Dennis of libel.