Film: FLOW Keeps the show going for TT Film Fest

TELECOMS provider Flow has committed to sponsoring the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (ttff) for the next three years until 2019.

Cindy-Ann Gatt, director of marketing for Flow, made the announcement at the launch of the Film Festival which took place at the Hyatt Regency recently. Flow is the presenting sponsor for the ttff which runs for one week this year, at MovieTowne and other locations from today to September 27.

This is the 11th year of the ttff and Flow has been involved since 2008 as the top sponsor, providing the necessary funding for the operational costs of the festival. Flow also sponsors the People's Choice Awards which cover Best Feature Film – Narrative, Best Feature Film – Documentary and Best Short Film.

Over the years, Flow's partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival has seen movies from the Film Festival air on HBO and Flow also airs local movies on Flow's Video on Demand option, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the creators of the film.

This year Flow, the leading telecoms provider, will be hosting a workshop for participating filmmakers explaining how they can use and go about accessing Video on Demand to show their work, whether it's a full-length feature or a film short.

At the launch Cindy-Ann Gatt explained, “It's about supporting excellence in Caribbean Arts and Caribbean content. At Flow we see the Film Festival as a tool that ensures that we have a place at the table concerning film. The fact is we in the Caribbean and specifically Trinidad and Tobago cannot wait for others to tell our stories. It doesn't work like that. We have to empower ourselves to insert our narrative into the film industry.

“The ttff is one way to ensure that our films have a place to go.”

The theme of this year's ttff is Good to Go and tickets are available all venues prior to the screening of the film. It is also a reflection of the company's investment in the development of local and Caribbean content, said Gatt.

Business: EXPO OPENS IN FULL COLOUR, EXPO release 2

With a colourfully adapted rendition of the National Anthem, performances from Nexxus Group and PM Andrew Holness (shown at left, with FLOW CEO Garry Sinclair and Anglican Archbishop Robert Gregory) and Governor-General Patrick Allen in attendance, the 2016 edition of the JMA-JEA EXPO officially opened inside the National Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday.

JMA President Merry Seaga had exhortations for both Government and his manufacturing sector colleagues; to the Govt, he sought greater use of Jamaican producers, and from his colleagues he sought a recommitment to improving quality in products and processes.

Recently elected President of the JEA Chong spoke of the rich resources afforded the island, including its strategic location in the heart of the Caribbean, natural produce and renowned reggae music, describing them as blessings.

Members of the EXPO Committee, Merry Seaga, Chong and Aswad Morgan declared great pleasure with the outcome. " It's a magnificent effort from our entire team" Morgan said, adding that there was a concerted push towards driving business for Jamaican producers.

The Prime Minister, in his remarks, said trade shows such as EXPO Jamaica, were a source of natural pride for Jamaica. " Manufacturing is still alive and kicking, and Jamaican producers are holding their own amongst their international counterparts." Prime Minister Holiness also announced the pending appointment of special "investment ambassadors" who will be charged with seeking new business opportunities for Jamaica in India, the Middle East and Europe.

Main sponsor FLOW was represented by CEO Gary Sinclair, who spike to his company's longstanding association with the biennial trade show. Sinclair also pointed out that FLOW's involvement, which included the provision of internet connectivity and various related data services was part of its strategic programme of supporting Jamaican business competitiveness in enhancing productivity.

Ahead of the glitzy opening ceremony, buyers from over 26 countries, representing the major markets of the world, converged on the Arena to confer with exhibitors showcasing a diverse array of wares and services. They included commodities distributors from Bermuda, freight consolidators from Guadeloupe and media entities from Canada, the USA, and the CARICOM region.

Media Business: "Who Really Owns Rio?" and other lessons from the RJR-Gleaner merger forum

At one of several high-wattage parties announcing its transition, executives of the former LIME, which is now operating its consumer telecoms biz as FLOW, trumpeted the new entity as " the exclusive broadcaster" of the much anticipated 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

expectedly, this sent no small shocks through the media fraternity as a whole and the conventional broadcast media in particular. CVM and TVJ had consistently battled to secure the rights to such tentpole sporting events (Olympics, World Cup Football tournament) that have clear demand for Jamaican audiences and thus represent a boon in seeking the all-important ad revenues.

Now, the rights to Usain Bolt's possible swan song (and other potential show-stoppers) has gone to what has conventionally been a cable TV provider, an outsider if you will.

But hold on. At a public forum hosted by the UWI's Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM) on Thursday night, it was revealed that while Cable and Wireless Communications, parent of the new entity FLOW/LIME (LIME really no longer exists, at least in the Jamaican context) has actually signed on as broadcast sponsor - and exclusive telecoms partner - to the real rights holders:

CANOC

Who? The acronym essentially pools the national Olympic Committees of the Caricom region, who have formed a unique media entity of their own, dubbed CBI, will managed the feed served through sports powerhouse ESPN to 33 regional territories, including Jamaica. Pollster and veteran Jamaican Olympics official Don Anderson, who 'happens" to be a board member of CBI, made the clarification during the Q & A session that followed five panel presentations (including his own) on the implications of the RJR-Gleaner (Media) alliance.

The deal, which RJR Group CEO (and CEO-designate of the new entity) Gary Allen says is in  the process of clearing regulatory and shareholder approvals hurdles, is expected to be fully ratified by year-end. Even though Extraordinary General meetings will be required on both sides, RJR shareholders will almost certainly raise the issue come next week when they gather at the Pegasus for the Annual General Meeting. 

The papers covered a fair range of issues, from the stock complexities attending the deal, to the audience/consumption picture against which it was contemplated. Former TVJ CEO, now Media Consultant Kay Osborne delivered a sobering framework of the advertising market which had healthy doses of diatribe against the telecoms giants Digicel and FLOW/LIME for wading into what may have been perceived as "hallowed space" . Is it really "proper" for tech-heavy, deep-pocketed telecoms firms, who formerly partnered with free-to-air TV (and still do, to varying extents) to now become direct competitors to conventional broadcast media in a low(no)-growth economy, with ad revenues in flux?

Weighty question and still up for debate. But what's not debatable is that a major shift has taken place in the media landscape, the effects of which will surely be felt through the remainder of this decade.

As they'd say in Rio, "Ate breve" 

Sports Biz: LIME/FLOW " GETS SET" WITH BIG SPORTS DEAL

Telecoms giant LIME (now in the process of a massive re-brand to FLOW) has "tied on" to the athletics ruling body Jamaica Athletics Administration Association (JAAA) in a two-year deal announced Tuesday (Aug 4) at the Terra Nova  hotel.

The $28-million exclusive arrangement will see the rebranding communications company sponsor JAAA-sanctioned events through the busy sports period up to and just after the 2016 Olympics in Rio. These events include the popular Jamaica Invitational as well as the closely-watched National Senior and Junior Trials.

The deal, according to LIME/FLOW Sponsorship manager Stephen Miller, is the first major sponsorship commitment since the controversial acquisition of FLOW by LIME's parent Cable & Wireless Commmunications. it also comes against the backdrop of an embarrassing incident at the last Boys and Girls Athletic Champs(sponsored by LIME), in which the winner of a particular event, ripped open his gear to reveal the words "Be Extraordinary" known as the slogan of LIME's competitor, Digicel.

At the announcement, the sponsorship manager emphasized that the company's sponsor and branding rights would be "respected and safeguarded" doubtless a reference to the recent challenge.