The HBO Special, “Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012” debuts Aug. 4th, 2012

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In the midst of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence, HBO and Flow will host a private screening of the HBO Special, Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012. The program, debuting in the Caribbean August 4th and throughout Latin America in September, showcases the most important musical event of the region, which this year includes legendary artists such as Celine Dion, Shaggy, Damian Marley, John Holt and Jully Black.

“We are thrilled to be sharing in this celebratory moment, together with Flow, here in Kingston,” said Javier Figueras, Corporate Vice President of Affiliate Sales for HBO Latin America Group. “By investing in local productions, we continue to bring Jamaica’s cultural wealth and natural beauty to a forefront throughout both the Caribbean and Latin American regions.”

In addition to celebrating Jamaica’s musical tradition, the HBO Special also brings the emblematic landscapes and scenic views of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Dunns River Falls and the Blue Mountains into sharp focus. While capturing the rhythmic beats of Reggae, Ska, Mento and Rocksteady, Where the Music is Always Alive: Jamaica Jazz & Blues 2012 also highlights the island’s appeal as a sunshine paradise.

“This fascinating Special will bolster our ongoing efforts to tap into the burgeoning Latin American market, as many viewers will certainly be lured to our shores by the captivating sights and sounds of our beautiful island,” said the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Entertainment. “The fact that it will showcase Jamaica to viewers in Caribbean and Latin American countries means it will provide a unique and invaluable opportunity to further market our destination and build brand Jamaica. It not only shines the spotlight on the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival but also puts our rich culture and history on display as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence. We are honoured to be associated with this brilliant initiative, which continues to redound to the benefit of our wonderful destination. I must commend Flow and HBO for the production of what has proven to be a very innovative and effective marketing tool, which continues to provide destination Jamaica with significant exposure in the Caribbean and Latin America.”

With one-third of its patrons being visitors to the island, this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival saw the largest audience turn-out in the three-day concert’s history. The HBO Special shares this vibrancy onscreen, not only through performance vignettes, but also through energetic commentaries featuring acclaimed artists such as Kymani Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Mykal Rose, The Temptations, Tessane Chin and Tami Chynn, among others.  

“This was an extremely important opportunity for us to use our technology and platforms to help widen the reach of Jamaica by highlighting the very best of what the island has to offer,” said Michele English, President and COO of Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions brands. “Our partnership with HBO for a second year in a row demonstrates our continued commitment to support, share and celebrate local culture with the rest of the world, and, at the same time, garner international attention for Jamaica.”

The half-hour program will have a repeat showing on Monday, August 6th (Jamaica’s Independence Day); additional showings will air in the Caribbean throughout August and September. The show will also be available to HBO On Demand subscribers (contingent upon cable operator).

About HBO Latin America  
HBO Latin America is the leader in paid, Premium television network broadcasting in the region, who as well as being recognized for the quality and diversity of its original programming, movies, and documentaries, delivers services of the highest technology in SD and HD formats in over 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through its channels HBO®, HBO2®, HBO® Plus, HBO® Family, HBO Caribbean®, Cinemax®, Max®, Max HD® y Max Prime(SM) and its SVOD service.

About Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited (Flow & Columbus Business Solutions)
With just about six years since its entry into Jamaica, Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited, operators of Flow and Columbus Business Solutions, has already made an indelible impact on the local telecommunications industry placing Jamaica as a regional industry leader for data connectivity and innovative digital products. With its dynamic triple play of services – digital cable TV, digital landline and blazing speed Internet, Flow is helping to build a tech savvy, digital, knowledge-based society as Jamaicans forge ahead in keeping apace with the latest global technological trends.

Flow has made a significant commitment to Jamaica, investing over US$300M million to date; in developing human resources, building an island wide all digital infrastructure and enhancing digital education in schools as part of the company’s social development programme. Jamaica is now the only country in the region with a direct undersea fibre-optic connection to the United States and South America as Flow via its express, direct, network system to Boca in Florida and Cartagena in Colombia. The record investment in the undersea system also provides Jamaica with unprecedented capacity, resiliency, redundancy and reliability for broadband data communications.

In 2011, Flow launched its business arm. Columbus Business Solutions, the combined forces of Flow’s (Jamaica’s broadband Company) superior business services and its sister company, Columbus Networks’ regional state of the art, scalable, network, boasting the latest high tech infrastructure, found in the region.  Columbus’ sub-sea fibre optic network touches 22 countries in the region and carries over 60% of all internet traffic in the Caribbean.

Columbus Business Solutions leverages Columbus’ superior network and expertise to bring the best products services to our customers.  This means that even the smallest business, as well as the largest established multinational organizations can benefit from the most advance expertise and technology in the region.  

Flow is also demonstrating excellence in corporate social responsibility by supporting enhanced learning via its Building Leaders Through Technology Programme which offers schools free of cost commercial grade internet and digital cable connection; mentoring and youth development activities with the service clubs in communities across Jamaica and investments to athletic developments in Jamaica. Flow is also ‘a major supporter of sports in Jamaica via its title sponsorship of the Flow Champions Cup, the national basketball team and basketball league -Flow National Basketball League.  The company also supports the development of local cultural by partnering with various groups including CALABASH and the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festivals.

SOURCE HBO Latin America