Sponsors mull links with Sumfest By Garwin Davis, Staff Reporter WESTERN BUREAU: REGGAE SUMFEST Promotions is facing future sponsorship problems as two of their major supporters, Red Stripe and Digicel, are now hinting that they may not be back on board next year. The fallout comes following what the sponsors have called unacceptable behaviour on the part of many of the entertainers that performed at this year's event and which led to a bottle throwing fracas and stampede on the popular Dancehall Night. The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) another major sponsor, is currently reviewing a report on the festival, which was submitted by its Montego Bay regional office. The agency is expected to make a ruling soon on whether it will be continuing its relationship with Sumfest next year. "We cannot in good faith be a part of an event that acts contrary to the social laws of this country," explained Harry Smith, director of marketing at Digicel. "We have no intention of using our sponsorship dollars to assist in the promotion of such vulgarity and no, I can't say for sure that we will be back on board next year." Mr. Smith said that his company would be meeting with the organisers of Sumfest shortly where they will be voicing their concerns. "We will be insisting on a number of conditions which will have to be met before we can offer any form of commitment," he added. "Maybe we hadn't emphasised our position forcefully before but I can assure you that we will be spelling it out this time. Digicel is interested in the promotion of reggae music in this country, what we are not interested in is all the garbage that were being uttered the other night." Wayne Lawrence, acting brand manager for Red Stripe, agreed. According to him, his company too was perturbed by some of the things that took place at Sumfest. "We are extremely saddened by what took place at Sumfest," Mr. Lawrence said. "It is very important that these matters be addressed promptly as we cannot in good faith be a part of anything that promotes violence. We certainly support the position of Digicel and will be expressing our concerns to the organisers of Sumfest." Mr. Lawrence said that as the island premier reggae festival, it was important that Sumfest maintain a clean image and known as a place where families can attend. "It is also important that sponsors come together to decide on what is acceptable behaviour," he said. "People shouldn't have to spend their money going to a festival and leave feeling disgusted. This is definitely not what entertainment should be." The promoters of Reggae Sumfest, under pressure from the widespread negative publicity the festival has been receiving, has reacted by announcing a number of new measures that will be introduced next year, including the use of cups instead of bottles. Also, there will no longer be appearances by international hip hop artistes following the onstage marijuana smoking and bad word cursing antics of Ja Rule and Snoop Doggy Dog. "We have taken the decision not to invite any of them back," explained Sumfest director Johnny Gourzong. "I think we can do without that sort of behaviour at Sumfest. Also, we will be following the behaviour of these dancehall acts throughout the year and I can promise you that if they do not desist from the vulgarity we will not be inviting back any of them next year." JTB deputy director of tourism, Trevor Riley, said that the agency hasn't yet made a decision in regards to its future dealings with Sumfest but noted that discussions have been going on at the highest level as it relates to the event. "Our board of directors have already indicated their concerns to the organisers of Sumfest," Mr. Riley said.
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