ENTERTAINMENT JAMAICA
Jamaica has always captured the imagination of people all over the world, and the local entertainment sector has to appropriately utilize its resources to drive sustainable long-term growth.
We have been a leader in the entertainment and creative industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean for almost 40 years. We have pioneered a number of areas, the main one being the modeling industry. As a result of Pulse, over the years, Jamaica has produced many international supermodels. We will introduce a number of new faces into the market in 2018, as we look to expand the agency again at that level. Also, in the music industry, we held the Peter Tosh Music Festival, which has been well received both locally and internationally for the past two years. We are involved in many other areas of the entertainment business, such as fashion television, and Caribbean Fashion Week, which we own and produce. There is something special about Jamaica and what it represents; it captures the imagination of people all over the world. This is something we need to leverage and use to grow our tourism business, as well as our entertainment business. Kingston is where the Jamaican music experience evolved; a great deal of creative energy emerged from Trench Town, and other inner city communities. In terms of the creative industry, Kingston has become a magnet for tourists, not only because the talent is here, but also because we create “in demand” products from that talent.
The creative industry is a competitive advantage for Jamaica. People around the world know about Jamaica—its reggae music, the cuisine, the dress, the attitude, the athletics, the culture, and so on. It is this ideology that drives the long-term vision of how to utilize the creative industry as a driver for economic growth. However, there is a level of infrastructure and policy that is required in order to realize true growth. Our research shows that the creative industries, more so than other sectors, can change an entire economy in as little as a decade. We have been reviewing models and examples and looked at best practices to determine what we can learn, borrow, or adapt for Jamaica, as we go about advancing the structure of our ecosystem. The animation industry is important in terms of framing what is happening here at the moment. The World Bank has provided Jamaica (through the Ministry of Science, Energy, and Technology) with a USD20-million loan to develop the animation sector. The World Bank did an economic impact assessment and validation to come to the conclusion that animation and the digital industries are transformative for urban renewal because of the speed of digitization and millennials working in the digital industry, making this a gamechanger in a developing economy.
In the past, dancehalls were out of control; no one could get support from major sponsors for dancehall music because the crowds were unruly and uncontrollable. I developed many dancehall artists, and through my concert involvement, we have managed to clean it all up. Now, Downsound Entertainment has the full support of the largest conglomerates in Jamaica for the Reggae Sundown Festival. I feel great about that, though we do not know how long that will last because everything is unpredictable here. The reason I got into concert production is because I love concert production, I love events, and I like doing things that are bigger than life. We have the biggest brand in dancehall and reggae music, and it is loved all over the world. We have revitalized the brand and are opening our doors to Africa. They are the ones who really want to be here and not take advantage of the Jamaican name, to pay respect for what Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Dennis Brown have done in the past. That is what Reggae Sundown Festival is all about. We are an international brand, and we know how to do reggae and dancehall music in a way that others do not, like sunshine reggae in Europe. We are the real deal.
ENTERTAINMENT JAMAICA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica
TBY talks to the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on efforts to foster sustainable and inclusive growth, the main challenges ahead for the nation, and its key successes in improving the business environment.
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Diane Edwards, President, Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO)
TBY talks to Diane Edwards, President of Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO), on making investments throughout the whole value chain, becoming a regional distribution hub, and boosting niche agricultural output.
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Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO, Victoria Mutual
TBY talks to Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO of Victoria Mutual, on the origins of financial inclusion in Jamaica, helping people get a start on their property journey, and assisting young businesses to exploit a positive business environment.
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Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO , Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB)
TBY talks to Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB), on fighting for its clients, using environmentally sound methods to drive down costs, and continuously driving innovation.
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Emanuel DaRosa,, President & CEO, Jamaica Public Services (JPS)
TBY talks to Emanuel DaRosa, President & CEO of Jamaica Public Services (JPS), on pursuing common goals in the best possible way, utilizing Jamaica's most abundant natural resources, and satisfying half of Jamaica's energy needs through renewables.
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Winston Watson, Group General Manager, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ)
TBY talks to Winston Watson, Group General Manager of Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), on keeping a hand in both green and black energy, helping the government reach its 2030 Energy Vision targets, and educating people on the importance of conservation.
read articleFocus: LNG Investments
Light My Fire Jamaica
The Jamaican government is pushing private investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) to provide cheaper and cleaner energy to households and businesses. Through partnerships with local and international companies, New Fortress Energy is leading the way to ignite this sector.
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Gordon Shirley, President & CEO, Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ)
TBY talks to Gordon Shirley, President & CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), on the country's developing role as a logistics hub, attracting more cruise ships, and his outlook for the economy at large.
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Fritz Pinnock, President, Caribbean Maritime University
TBY talks to Fritz Pinnock, President of Caribbean Maritime University, on capitalizing on the rising power of the global south, customizing goods before they reach the final consumer, and leveraging Jamaica's geostrategic location to create added value.
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Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)
TBY talks to Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), on the university's illustrious history, its upcoming strategies, and Caribbean Knowledge City.
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Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director , Mona School of Business and Management
TBY talks to Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director of Mona School of Business and Management, on maintaining quality across its programs, its achievements in the Caribbean, and the school's research-based approach.
read articleFocus: Downtown Kingston Revitalization
Drinking from the Fountain of Youth
Although the subject of much talk, downtown Kingston has been relatively neglected for many years while surrounding areas of the city attracted more real estate developments. A series of public and private investments indicate that the trend is finally reversing.
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Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager, VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP)
TBY talks to Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager of VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP), on diversifying their business lines, expanding Kingston's Port, and developing innovative financing mechanisms.
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Dittie Guise, General Manager, Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC)
TBY talks to the late Dittie Guise, General Manager of Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC), on marketing the convention center, creating an integrated tourist experience, and preparing for more events and visitors.
read articleFocus: Linking Tourism
Lifting All Boats in the Rising Tide
Although significantly contributing to the economy, tourism in Jamaica suffers from an inadequate level of linkage with other sectors. The government, in partnership with private actors, is launching a number of initiatives to ensure that international tourists meet local businesses.
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Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director, Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited
TBY talks to Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited, on working with businesses to further their goals, the importance of engaging with consultants, and goals for the coming year.
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