BARBADOS - music

CBC announces AT&T partnership for Festival Zone 2004

Web Posted - Thu Jun 10 2004 By Linda Branch

AT&T Wireless has stepped into the “Zone” with the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation as title sponsor of CBC’s popular festival showcasing the songs, sights and activities of Crop Over.

During a press conference yesterday at CBC headquarters in the Pine, CBC General Manager Allyson Leacock and AT&T Wireless General Manager Kim Whitehead jointly announced what Leacock described as a “major partnership”.

The representatives of the two companies provided information on the “CBC AT&T Wireless Festival Zone” partnership during a live broadcast of “The Chat Room”.

“We will be focusing on the colour, the creativity and the diversity of the Crop Over Festival this year…focusing particularly on the masqueraders who create all the energy and excitement of Kadooment … the steelbands … visual artists and the craft persons,” said Leacock, who encouraged the public to attend the Festival Zone and Festival Stage activities held every Friday at the CBC compound.

Leacock especially expressed enthusiasm for an upcoming June 19 free “Festival Zone” public event. Although details of the scheduled performances for the CBC/AT&T Wireless Cultural Extravaganza were not released, CBC’s general manager said this “family affair” show will have something for everyone.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” stated Whitehead, whose company will also give some corporate sponsorship to the Headliners Tent as well as support to both the Grand and Junior Kadooment events spearheaded by the National Cultural Foundation.

AT&T Wireless’ general manager acknowledged that CBC has done a “tremendous job” in helping to develop Barbadian talent and spreading the local culture into the community. Noting that one of the strategic goals of the US telecommunications corporation was to build partnerships with local associations and organisations, Whitehead said company officials were “very excited” to team up with CBC and be a part of Crop Over activities.

Joining Leacock and Whitehead at the press conference were Adrian “Boo” Husbands, who is leading AT&T Wireless’ local marketing efforts, and Mariel Llenza, AT&T Wireless’ marketing and communications representative for the Caribbean region.

In response to a media question about the current piracy and no new music controversy, Husbands, who is also the public relations representative for the Headliners, emphasised that “as there is a Crop Over, there will be a Headliners Tent”.

Husbands further added that Headliners held a responsibility to its sponsors and the public “to put on a tent”. The Headliners Tent’s major sponsors include Virgin Atlantic. Speaking indirectly about the controversy, Husbands stressed to The Chat Room viewers that “there is a Crop Over” and expressed a hope that “we will get pass the impasse”.

Festival Zone cultural and entertainment activities initially kicked off on May 8 with a parade by CBC through the Pine area. Thus far, CBC has been highlighting the Cavalcades as part of the Zone activities. The Zone and Festival Stage will continue over the next two months until Kadooment Day.

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