Flow twins Jazz, technology

Broadband technology will play a major role in this year’s staging of the Jamaica Jamaica Jazz and Blues, one of the country’s premiere music festivals. As the Official Telecommunications partner for the Festival, Flow’s broadband technology will be employed throughout the preparations and execution of the event. These include supporting pre-production and administration, marketing and media relations, social media and a live stream of the festival. The technology will also enhance the audience experience with Flow Unplugged, the Company’s WiFi solution.

"Flow has renewed its partnership with the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival this year as our telecommunications provider and will be behind the technology that will run the festival. Its broadband technology will be key to many elements over the three nights. We are happy with Flow’s contribution over the years and we are expecting great things for this year’s staging," said Walter Elmore, chairman of Art of Music Production - the organisers of Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.

Flow’s triple play of services, internet, cable and landline telephone, is an essential and integral element that has enabled the successful staging of the Festival for 3 years.

“We are proud that once again our technology provides a platform to add an exciting dimension one of the Caribbean’s best music festivals, and to enable patrons to fully enjoy the Jazz and Blues experience before, during and even after each night of the event,” said Denise Williams, director of corporate communications at Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of the Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands. “In previous years of our association with the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, our technology has taken the experience of the festival to the world via programmes produced in partnership with our international partners. This year, our efforts are focused on maximizing the audience’s experience right here at the event.”

Flow’s WiFi service will be deployed throughout the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium creating a large, open access HotSpot so that patrons can use their smart phones, tablets and other web-enabled devices as part of the entertainment experience.

“Social media is now a normal part of every individual’s daily experiences. It is important for us to ensure that the technology is in place at the venue to enable the audience to enjoy and share the performances of the artistes,” said Williams. She also explained that patrons will be able to engage in making live posts and status updates and sharing photos and videos to various social media platforms with the most reliable high speed internet.

In addition to virtual interactions via social media, Flow will engage patrons attending the jazz festival with a series of activities and special offers at the Flow Zone on the grounds of the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium. Flow will also deploy special social media offer for fans and encourages facebook users to like the Flow Facebook page for Jazz special offers.

Since introducing its broadband service to Jamaica in 2006, Columbus Communications has been a strong and consistent supporter of the arts and entertainment. Over the years the company has used its technology to make significant contributions to events such as Kingston Pon Di River, Anime Caribe, Shaggy and Friends and Reggae Film Festival. Flow has also dedicated its Channel 100 to broadcasting locally produced programming, and has also made local productions available on Flow OnDemand.

Last year, the company teamed up with HBO to produce the documentary ‘Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2012’, which was shown on HBO channels reaching millions of homes across the Caribbean and Latin America.

This 17th staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival takes place at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium and features local and international acts including Third World Band, Mary J. Blige, Monica, John Legend, Michael Bolton, Cocoa Tea, Etana, Cocoa Tea, Shaka Demus, Pliers and Rootz Underground.