The Peabody Orlando Launches National Search For New Duck Master

The Peabody Orlando, famous for its five marching mallard ducks, has embarked on a national search for a new Duck Master. This unique job opportunity is just one of three such positions in the world. The Peabody Orlando plans to have the new Duck Master on board and trained in time to host the grand opening duck march for its $450-million expansion, which will open in late September 2010.


The tradition of the famous Peabody Marching Ducks began in 1932, when Frank Schutt, general manager of The Peabody Memphis, and a friend, Chip Barwick, returned empty-handed from a weekend hunting trip. As a prank the two put their live duck decoys (which were legal at the time) in the fountain in the hotel's Grand Lobby. The reaction from hotel guests was nothing short of enthusiastic. Since then, every day at 11 a.m., the ducks are led by the Duck Master down the elevator from their "Duck Palace" on the roof to the marble fountain in The Peabody Grand Lobby. The ceremony is reversed at 5 p.m., when the ducks march back down the red carpet through crowds of admiring spectators to retire for the evening.

"We're looking for a captivating and talented individual with a love for animals and passion for working with people," stated Alan Villaverde, managing director of The Peabody Orlando. "This tradition is very important to The Peabody Hotel and its history. Our Duck Masters are known and loved around the world, and we look forward to opening the new expansion at The Peabody Orlando with a new Duck Master to commemorate this monumental time in the hotel's history."

The Duck Master at The Peabody Orlando will be responsible for maintaining the health, diet, rotation and living quarters for the five mallard ducks and conducting the twice daily March of The Peabody Ducks before hotel guests and off-property audiences. The Duck Master will also coordinate off-site presentations and conduct media interviews about wildlife, ducks and the environment. Additional responsibilities include working within the Guest Services and Front Office areas in accordance with business needs. For the complete job description, visit http://bit.ly/DuckMaster.