One month after sealing a sponsorship deal with DDL, the Carifesta Secretariat has won support to the value of $10M from Banks DIH.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Banks Chairman Clifford Reis clinched the agreement on Tuesday at Thirst Park.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Keith Booker, the Secretariat CEO, Nigel Dharamlall and Banks Sales and Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao also attended the signing.
Banks will be sponsoring the grand market which will be held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre and a super concert at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on August 23. The event will feature several local and Caribbean soca and dancehall artists such as Mr. Vegas, Rupee and Dave Martins and the Tradewinds. The show is scheduled to start at 6 pm and will be free of cost. Patrons will be required to uplift tickets from several of Banks’ retail outlets, subject to the purchase of products on sale. Additionally, the company’s brand/logo will be marketed at all Carifesta media briefings and on letterheads and other public postings around the city.
The minister said the beverage company had earlier indicated its willingness to support the festival and the agreement is in fulfilment of that commitment.
Banks is now the official beverage for Carifesta and Anthony said he was grateful that the company agreed to sponsor other aspects of the festival that omit the use of alcohol. “We had lengthy discussions on all the items that we will be doing and we are very pleased that they have come onboard in this way,” he said.
Booker said he considers the deal a binding activity that provides the requisite incentive to promote Carifesta in a deserving manner. “We at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport are very happy that this has materialised after the lengthy discussions we have had over the past few months and so we look forward with pleasure to enjoy this relationship, not only for CARIFESTA, but events that follow,” Booker said.
The first corporate sponsorship contract was signed with DDL on June 27. The company had also pledged $10M and will be sponsoring one of the super concerts.
