Pharrell Song ‘Virginia' to Be Featured in State Ad Campaign

An upcoming ad campaign for Virginia Beach will feature a new song by Grammy-winning hometown superstar Pharrell Williams.

The singer, rapper and producer contacted the city last year asking how he could help after the mass shooting at a municipal building in May, Deputy City Manager Ron Williams told The Virginian-Pilot. That led to a a multi-year plan involving the singer in tourism and economic development initiatives, he said.

As part of that, Pharrell Williams will narrate two 60-second commercials with his soon-to-be-released song, “Virginia."

The spring tourism campaign will also include window signs as well as items from the singer's clothing lines emblazoned with a “We’re open” slogan.