Red Cross/Flow Give More to Central Kingston Youths

30 children from communities of Arnold, Anderson and Rousseau Roads were feted by The Jamaica Red Cross in partnership with Flow on Saturday October 22. As part of the National Red Cross month of activities, the Kingston and St. Andrew branch created an environment of safety, security and integration at Arnold Road for children age 5-14.

The one-day Fun Camp, held under the theme "Let the Book Bugs Bite" focused on encouraging a love for reading among children. A team of Flow employees spent the day with the youths and assisted the Red Cross by providing care and entertaining them for the day. The volunteers bonded with kids through group activities as well as one-on-one interactions. Hyacinth Smith, Vice Chairman of the Jamaica Red Cross Kingston and St Andrew Branch says the event was in keeping with the mission of the Jamaica Red Cross. "In Jamaica October is celebrated as Red Cross Month, it is the month we were recognised by the Government as a national society. Today we have taken some children from inner city communities to give them a treat. This is the first time we are hosting this event, "she explained.

Employees of Flow and the Jamaica Red Cross spent quality time with children of Arnold, Anderson and Rousseau Roads communities on Saturday October 22. The Youths spent the day socialising with each other, playing games, reading books and  bonded with the Flow volunteers as well as representatives of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Volunteers connected with the youths by reading to them and engaging in other team building games. The day's programme which was designed to encourage social interactions and an appreciation for reading resulted in many new friendships being forged through meaningful interactions.

Jeanette Lewis, Public Relations Manager of Flow praised the Red Cross on their rich culture of volunteerism and community support. "The Jamaica Red Cross has been doing good work with children of inner-city communities. We are humbled to have had the opportunity to interact with the children in this way. They received us with such warmth and connected with us immediately. It was a meaningful experience for our team members and the children who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the activities and each other," she explained.

Annette Campbell, Coordinator of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the Jamaica Red Cross Kingston and St Andrew Branch expressed pleasure at Flow's support. "I am very happy that Flow came on board with us. Our van which we use for the meals on wheels programme was stolen and Flow willingly loaned us a van indefinitely. We wanted Flow to come onboard and see what it is we are doing and get involved and I am so happy today they got to interact with the children. It is a worthwhile cause because at the end of the day you feel satisfied knowing you have reached out to the less fortunate and that's what it is all about, Volunteerism," she noted.

Jamaica Red Cross, a member of the International Movement of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, has helped those most vulnerable since 1948. The organization undertakes a range of activities aimed at the development of youth, building communities and civil awareness. The organisation also has Red Cross clubs in schools and youth groups for youth no longer in school, a youth out-of-school education program (Uplifting Adolescents Programme), parenting courses and workshops, conflict resolution and mediation training, mentoring program and anti-violence work.

Customers Win Millions with Flow this Christmas

Consumers are set to win big this holiday season, as Flow officially launches their Christmas campaign that affords opportunities for greater savings and more than $5 million in prizes for new and existing customers with the promotion “Upgrade with Flow, this Christmas.”

The customer focused promotion encourages consumers to upgrade how they watch, talk and click, this Christmas; rewards customers for their loyalty, and gives price breaks and more value to those signing up for new Flow service. All Flow customers have a chance to win a wide range of electronics items such as the coveted iPAD2, 32” LCD televisions, netbook computers and digital cameras for the duration of the promotion, October 14 to December 31, 2011.  Also, every week one lucky winner will receive a Grand Prize of a Flow home entertainment electronics make-over valued at over $150,000. The makeover will consist of a full suite of electronic products and services including a home entertainment system complete with a 32” LCD television and HD digital personal video recorder set-top box, a netbook computer and a cordless telephone.

Sharon Roper, Vice President of Marketing, says that Flow is extending these exciting offers for the holiday season to ensure that consumers can consistently get the value they seek from Flow and also to show appreciation for their loyalty.  “We know that consumers are always looking for real value and for ways to enhance and enjoy their lives. We believe that these special offers provide exactly that  for this holiday season,” Roper said. “It is also important to us that we always show appreciation to our customers, and these amazing prizes are our way of saying thank you for choosing Flow.”

New customers will receive savings of as much as $5,000 when they sign up for any Flow service during the promotion, Roper announced. Every new customer will get free installation for any standard service. In addition, customers who sign up for Flow’s Watch service get a free uprade to one premium package and will have the opportunity to enjoy viewing premium cable channels such as HBO, Watch Movies and Watch Sports for free up to January 31, 2012. New Talk customers will receive a free Caller-ID telephone and will enjoy free Flow to Flow calling plus the lowest rates in the market to call another landline.  New CLICK customers get a free wireless upgrade so that they can enjoy the freedom of being able to experience the fastest high speed internet rates from any location within the home.

“ In the spirit of the holiday season we are giving our customers the opportunity to enjoy experiences that will change their lives,”  remarked Roper. “We continuously aim to offer services that enhance the lives of Jamaicans in the ways they play, work and learn. With this Christmas offer we are also giving our customers more value, more benefits and more choices.”

For further information please contact:
Jeanette Lewis (Ms.)
FLOW
876-620-3633 (SL)
876-282-5030 (Mobile)
jlewis@flowjamaica.com

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

Local Box Office Giant Third World Cop on Demand!

Chris Browne

Almost on the eve of the arrival of the Chris Browne's eagerly awaited drama Ghett'a Life on Friday, July 29, his debut feature film, Third World Cop has been added to the roster of available local content from Flow OnDemand. The result is that Jamaicans can enjoy a Chris Browne double dose, ingesting the drama and excitement of Ghett'a Life at the cinemas then top up with an action fix with box office smash Third World Cop when they go home.

Michael Look Tong, Media Services Director at Flow says that Third World Cop, which holds the record for Jamaica's highest grossing box office, is doing very well in the OnDemand category. Look Tong also pointed out that on the first night of Third World Cop's introduction to the line-up, the amount of buys, stands up very well against other titles. He also explained that OnDemand content sale is driven by familiarity and so he has high expectations for Third World Cop's success. "People know Third World Cop," he said. "I expect it to do very well."

Flow's OnDemand service allows viewers to select content from a library of movies, music and television shows and watch at their own leisure over a 48-hour "viewing window". Mr. Look Tong explained that local content, which includes plays and concerts, currently accounts for approximately 30% of the revenue derived from Flow OnDemand. "It's growing very, very fast," he said.

The continued popularity of Third World Cop highlights that Browne is keyed into what local audiences are looking for. Although the former is very different from his new project Ghett'a Life, it is expected that he will once again produce a film that Jamaicans can truly delve into. Ghett'a Life mixes the twin adrenaline fueled engines of political and gang related violence and sports, in this case boxing.

Ghett'a Life is a gripping tale of life in Kingston's ghettos. The film does not attempt to make the violence sexy, but instead gives a realistic, yet entrancing portrayal. Ghett'a Life is already being touted for its high production values as well as the social implications of the film. The feature stars newcomers Kevoy Burton and Kadeem Wilson, as well as stalwarts Carl Davis (Dancehall Queen, Almost Heaven, and Royal Palm Estate), Teddy Price (Small Island, Glory to Gloriana, and Royal Palm Estate), and Winston 'Bello' Bell (Third World Cop, Royal Palm Estate). The talented cast is rounded out by Karen Robinson and Actor Boy Awardee Christopher McFarlane.