For the first time Digicel has given its support to Moonsplash,Anguilla’s reggae musical festival, and tourist attraction, now in its 22nd year. That assistance, in the form of being the communication sponsor of the event in terms of advertising and other marketing activities, was announced at a press conference at the company’s corporate offices on Monday, February 13.
The announcement, preceding the March 8-11 Moonsplash event, was made by Digicel’s Country Manager, John Gidharry. “We are deeply appreciative of having been given the opportunity to partner with Moonsplash,” he told reporters. “We would like to make it bigger and better by exposing it to our social media and our traditional marketing media such as radio, television, print and press, and to work with the Moonplash team. We will be more behind the scene just to make sure that the marketing perspective happens and will be there on the spot in full force to support the event.”
He said Digical was happy to be part of Moonsplash. “We look forward to its future. It is the first time that Digicel is taking part in it and we look forward to bigger and better things as we go along. This year is really to start up the relationship and I am happy to say that we are pleased to start off on a good note.”
He continued: “Moonsplash is always looking to give back to the Anguillian community. Putting it together is not an easy event and a lot of people need to chip in and make sure that it happens. There is an element of Moonsplash that we are more interested in – the fact that there is an awareness, being created at the educational level, on the importance of music… and we are happy that Moonsplash is actually doing this.”
The press conference was addressed by Tahirah Banks, daughter of BankieBanx, and Public Relations and Marketing Executive for Moonsplash, who spoke by telephone fromTexas. She explained in detail the arrangementsfor the event and was grateful to Digicel and the other sponsors for their contribution.
The various performing artistes and dates are as follows: Friday night, March 9, Omari Banks, Junior Jazz &iKkronik and David Hinds; Saturday night, March 10: True Intentions, BankieBanx, Bay-C of T.O.K., Leba (daughter of Toopts from Toots & the Maytlas); Cat Core, Donahue Jarret, Jemere Morgan and Cramps Morgan; and Sunday, March 11: PVI. Throughout the Moonsplash festival there will be an assortment of performances by local artistes including Nyne, Roxxy and Timmy.
BankieBanxhas expressed gratitude to the Government which, through the Tourist Board, contributed US$15,000 towards the event; and the National Bank which provided US$2,500. Other partners and companies which have made this year’s Moonsplash possible were listed as follows: Webster Dyrud Mitchell; Caribbean Juris Chambers; Caribbean Liquors & Tobacco; Coors Light and the Red Piano (all three from St. Maarten); C&B Heavy Equipment; CuisinArt Resort & Spa; FUNTINE Charters; Gerauds Bakery; J.W. Proctors; Island 92 FM; Kool FM; Klass FM 92.9; Radio Anguilla; Lake’s World; Mango’s Restaurant; Merchant Market; Meads Bay Villa; Mingz Supermarket; Straw Hat Restaurant; Veya Restaurant and Viceroy Hotel Group.
Bankie Bank said that some of the assistance was received for four fund-raisingpre-Moonsplash events. An upcoming event this Saturday will be a team performance at the Driftwood Beach Bar in St. Maarten where the main sponsors a Caribbean Liquors & Tobacco, Coors Light and the Red Piano. He was also grateful to Darius James of True Intentions, the supporting band, for his assistance. James, who expressed pleasure in being part of the Moonsplashteam, disclosed that he would shortly be releasing a single album as part of the entertainment life on the island.
BankieBanx’s son, Omari, who has relinquished his cricket career and entered the music field, spoke about the recent release of his track song Moving On and his involvement in Moonsplash. “It’s something really positive and really good. I am excited and looking forward to it,” he said about Moonsplash.
Dr. M. Linda Banks, Communication Specialist, who has worked with the event over the years, was grateful to the media for their continued support. “We really appreciate what you do,” she stated in part. “I know that Moonsplash for Bankie is from the heart. It is something he is very passionate about and when you love something, you just give it your all. Every year Bankie makes sure that Moonsplash is an event that people will remember and help to shape the positive and conscious energy of music. He very carefully selects the artistes who will bring that conscious message to the people because music can be a healing force.”
