More Students to access on-line learning tool with GoGSAT, Flow Partnership

GoGSAT is an education phenomenon in Jamaica that is helping students to achieve greater success in the GSAT examination. Since its inception in 2005, over 95 of its subscribers have been awarded national scholarships, including the Top Girl and Top Boy awards. Now, through a special partnership with Flow, even more students, teachers and parents will have greater access to this home grown, Harvard backed on-line learning technology.

Through this collaboration, Flow Internet customers who sign up to GoGSAT or Caribbeanexams.com from September 9 to November 30, will receive significant discounts to GoGSAT's educational packages including three month's free access to any GoGSAT package they purchase. Existing Customers will also benefit from this partnership.

This is important news for students as GoGSAT has been rated of the best on-line examination preparation tool for students in grades one to six. In addition to test preparation materials, GoGSAT also provides access to live tutorials facilitated by Jamaican and Harvard University Tutors, essay grading, eMentoring, 24/7 help, as well as daily homework and research assistance. GoGSAT also provides educational materials such as handouts, worksheets, practice tests etc. for teachers. Currently Macmillan Publishers and Nelson Thornes provide teaching material while Harvard University tutors provide mentorship to students via the system's study room.

This is the second year of collaboration for the two organizations and Shalette A. East Vice President Operations at GoGSAT Ltd anticipates another great year with Flow. "GoGSAT is pleased to partner with Flow on this initiative. This partnership came about as a result of our collective desire to assist students with their GSAT, CSEC and CAPE preparation," she said.   Last year through the Flow promotion, many persons upgraded from basic usage of GoGSAT thus maximizing access to support and opportunities. Ms. East explained.

Speaking on the benefits of the partnership,   Sharon Roper, Vice President of Marketing at Flow said, "We are very pleased to offer this added benefits to our customers. GoGSAT is a dynamic approach to on-line learning, it is relevant and constantly growing. The GoGSAT team is doing an excellent job and we are proud to facilitate greater access to our students," she said.

The response to the six year old GoGSAT programme has been tremendous, resulting in GoGSAT winning four national awards for education. In 2011, subscribers won 50% of the Government Scholarship places. One Flow customer who began using the service in 2010 also won a scholarship in 2011.

FlowTV expands options for Local content providers

Local content providers, television viewers and advertisers welcomed new option for local producers as Flow, Jamaica’s triple play service provider, unveiled the expansion of its repertoire with the launch of its revamped channel, FlowTV on Tuesday August 30 at the Terra Nova Hotel.

Judith Fallon Reid, producer of Gospel Rhythms, which airs on FlowTV sees the latest development as good news for the local industry.  “My team and I have been working with Flow for the past two years, we think FlowTV offers a very viable opportunity to producers to get local content on the air.”

Fallon Reid lauded Flow’s vision for industry development and acknowledged the benefit to young producers. “FlowTV provides an affordable option to local producers, without access to large funding, to get their programmes aired. Young producers with great ideas will be able to benefit from this alternative outlet. I love Flow, they have brought international standards to local cable television,. Flow has brought a visionary approach to local programming,” she said.

Directors, producers and other creative minds have already found FlowTV to be a real alternative for locally produced content, with the Network picking up shows such as “Pree Dis,” the immensely popular lifestyle current affairs show and the topical talk show “Lauren o Lauren,”.

Anieph Latchman, creator of the animated feature, Cabbie Chronicles which is available on Flow OnDemand sees this as a bold move that will boost the industry. “Flow's continuous diversification of its services and opportunities is exceptional. The newest revamp of Channel 100, now FlowTV, is significant to local producers as it provides an outlet for their content, new opportunities for income and increased visibility in the Jamaican market. This can only increase opportunities available to producers that will ultimately boost the local industry, he said.”

The newly re-launched channel will now support an upgraded format focusing on business, entertainment and lifestyle related subject matter. This initiative reinforces Flow’s commitment to ensuring more local content reaches the Jamaican market and that viewers can continue to have a wide variety of choice when it comes to general programming.

Vice President of Marketing for Flow Sharon Roper comments, “We are very excited to support the Jamaican film fraternity with this newly revamped platform to put out their creative talent.” Flow TV is part of our wider investment in local content.  With over 22 local channels already available on the Flow network, FlowTV, along with Flow OnDemand and our recently launched Public Access Community channels, provides a diverse range of broadcasting outlets offering everything from free community content, a library of popular Jamaican plays to Internationally acclaimed shows such as Cabbie Chronicles.

From their new offices, FlowTV, the broadcasting outlet of Flow, offers a sound platform for local content including footage of public events, concerts, and music videos,” Michael Look Tong, Head of Media Services for Flow comments, “With our new facilities, we have added some capacity and can therefore allot space for increased programming.  Local content providers have the option to lease “on air space” or choose from a variety of commercial options to air their production.

FlowTV will feature regularly scheduled broadcasts seven days a week with Daily News content from the Associated Press. The channel also features new as well as previously syndicated shows from 5:30am to 11:00pm nightly.
The event was attended by members of the Jamaican creative industry, as well as the who’s who in stage, film, and music, from directors and producers to actors and entertainers.

For further information please contact:
Nicole Campbell
PR Executive
1-876-365-7773
ntcampbell@flowjamaica.com