The cultural organization, Eyes Wide Shut, held a press conference on Tuesday, May 29th to accept contributions from four noteworthy sponsors and to announce its plans for 2018. Contributing as sponsors to this year’s events are Tropical Distributors, FLOW, the Summer Festival Committee and the Anguilla Tourist Board.
Eyes Wide Shut is a rather young entity, now in its fourth year of promoting outstanding musical features for the annual Summer Festival activities. It is the brainchild of Mr. O’leary Richardson who is the main organizer and promoter.
Representing Tropical Distributors was that organization’s Marketing Officer in the person of Ms. Moira Mass-Hardt. She said that she counted it a pleasure to present a contribution on behalf of Campari, which is the main brand sponsor this year.
In recognition of the role Eyes Wide Shut plays to the annual festival, Ms. Mass-Hardt noted: “Last year we had such a great run with Kes being the main performer. Everybody had an amazing time with Eyes Wide Shut. Eyes Wide Shut is now one of the main carnival events that is definitely solidified in everybody’s mind. It is a musical event that everyone looks forward to every year.”
Ms. Mass-Hardt continued: “This year, the main performer is the global Brand Ambassador for Campari. And this is why Campari is the headlining brand, and why they are going all out support-wise. So the public can expect, even from the branding perspective, that Eyes Wide Shut will be a step up again.”
Representing FLOW’s contribution presentation was Ms. Jade Reymond. She commented: “On behalf of the FLOW family, it is very important for us to continue to invest in the Summer Festival and in our culture. We recognize O’Leary’s efforts and his team in terms of putting on these kinds of events which speak to the caliber of the kind of events that you want to have for Summer Festival.”
She continued: “Eyes Wide Shut has grown over the last four years, and we are indeed happy to be part of the event. This year, we have stepped up our sponsorship. In a conversation with O’Leary, I mentioned to him that from a company standpoint we recognize that this event is definitely a staple of Summer Festival. Eyes Wide Shut has grown by leaps and bounds, and each year it is highly anticipated.”
Ms. Reymond added: “Our company has been investing in the Summer Festival for some fifteen years, and we want to ensure that we are part of events like Eyes Wide Shut. This also gives us the opportunity to couple a number of our summer promotions with Eye’s Wide Shut tickets which is probably one of the most anticipated promotions of FLOW during Summer Fest. People literally wait for the promotion that says: ‘Get a mobile phone with a ticket to Eyes Wide Shut’. So it gives us an opportunity to be a part of the culture and this coveted event. I want to thank O’leary and his team, for this great opportunity, on behalf of the FLOW family.”
Speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Summer Festival was Deputy Chairman, Mr. Shayne Thompson. He mentioned: “We have supported Eyes Wide Shut from the beginning — from the very first year. This year we are giving them an even bigger support in contributions. We have realized that Eyes Wide Shut has slowly and gradually become one of the most anticipated events of the Summer Fest line-up, and we do our best to help and support O’leary and his team this year again, and many years going forward. So on behalf of the Anguilla Summer Festival, I want to say that we support Eyes Wide Shut in all that they do.”
The main organizer, Mr. O’leary Richardson, then remarked: “I want to let everyone know that Eyes Wide Shut is in its fourth year of promotions. I am excited about 2018 because I expect this year to be yet another phenomenal year. We just recently launched the promotion to the public.”
O’leary went on: “Something big is happening for Carnival. Our headliner artistes this year are Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann. On the line-up will be also Iwer George out of Trinidad. DJ Private Ryan, who is part of our family now, will be also part of the show, along with Barrie Hype. The local bands will include performances by Infusion XL, Synergy and all the top local DJ’s of Anguilla.”
The fourth contributor and sponsor was the Anguilla Tourist Board which was represented by Assistant Manager, Destination Experience, Mr. Jameel Rochester.
In closing, O’leary expressed his thanks to the four sponsors for their kind contributions to Eyes Wide Shut. He noted that Eyes Wide Shut would not be where it is today without such committed sponsorships.
