One million dollars in cash and prizes and the gateway to a singing career are up for grabs, GT&T announced on Thursday when at the launch of its 2007 Jingle and Song competition.
The GT&T Cellink Jingle Competition has become a popular feature and this year the company decided to up the excitement a notch by adding a song competition.
Last year, the idea of a song competition was born but it never materialized so the company decided to include it in this its third jingle competition.
With this addition, the stakes are doubled. Besides the breath-taking first place prize, the participants would have a chance to win $500,000 in cash and prizes for second place and $250,000 in cash and prizes for the third spot.
To enter the competition persons are required to fill out application forms available at GT&T’s offices countrywide as well as at Courts, Anil Singh, at Anna Regina Market, Kamal 2Ks Gift Centre and Cellphone store at Bartica Mall, Imran and Sons at Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice and Sarvanand Pharmacy at Corentyne, Berbice, and return them to any of the locations in a sealed envelope by April 10. The envelope must be clearly labelled “Cellink Plus Jingle & Song Competition.
Only amateur singers between the ages of 16 and 30 are eligible and one entry per person will be accepted.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to compose a jingle, which advertises the services offered by GT&T Cellink Plus, as well as compose and record an original song of their choice. This song must not be related to the company.
Finalists of the first two competitions are barred from entering this year’s event and applicants under the age of 18 will have to obtain written permission from their parents before entering.
The first and second place winners will take part in GT&T sponsored and approved promotions and publicity events and will be required to sign a contract to this effect.
The winning jingle will be aired for six months and in the second half of the year, it will share airtime with the first place winner for three months. The third place would then replace that jingle and share airtime with the winning jingle for the final three months.
The first place winner’s song will be continuously aired.
In addition, the top finalist will be given the opportunity to perform at GT&T Cellink Plus sponsored shows and events.
At the launching Michael George, marketing director of GT&T, said the company’s jingle competition is responsible for the surge in the music industry in Guyana.
He said this year’s addition to the competition would enhance the level of talent that will be seen.
He said the objective is to develop real talent in Guyana and people who can represent the company and the country. “There is a huge mass of talent in Guyana that is just waiting to be tapped on.”
In the first competition in 2005, Timeka Marshall emerged winner and since then she has recorded other singles including the popular “Separate”. Last year, Shawn English walked away with the title. zoisaf@yahoo.com
