Event Coordinator for Kubuli Fest and former head of the Dominica Festivals Commission Val Cuffy is crying foul on corporate entities and demanding more respect for local promoters within the entertainment industry.
According to Cuffy, large companies which are usually associated with major shows and events on island want much more than they are willing to give.
“There are a number of companies in this country, big conglomerates, who come to promoters like myself and to bands like WCK and other groups, totally insulting the intelligence and the integrity and the performing arts in this country,” Cuffy said.
“These people give you peanuts, they come to you with limited and insulting resources and they want the world. They want all their banners, their billboards, they want their names mentioned left, right and centre and they expect you to create a mystery. When the show flops, the promoter and the bands are the ones who get the blame,” Cuffy stated.
While Cuffy advises that more money should be spent on the organization of events in the interest of the tourism and cultural industry, he sounded a warning to sponsors of entertainment events. “If you are a multi-national corporation and somebody sends you a proposal, if you cannot do it, say you cannot do it. Do not try to insult people’s intelligence when you know for a fact that the show cost $100,000 but you giving me $5,000.”
Cuffy was speaking at the launching of Kubuli Fest held at the Windsor Park Stadium conference room earlier today.
Y should people waist resources on these events which only promotes all kinds of ills and abominable acts corrupting our youths.Val it’s time that u guys surrender your lives to JAH and start living a spiritual life.
Val too bold, he has no clue of businesses financial position. can’t he understand what is a financial crisis, at this stage companies spend much less on SEWO, they do promotion within their budget. Again, Val does not expect to me a mint on every promotion.
I still don’t understand what the problem is. You get what you negotiate. Nobody is putting a gun to your head. If you think they are asking too much for what they are offering, you are not obligated to accept it. That thing about insulting intelligence is pure nonsense.
It is the sponsor’s job to get as much as he can for as little cost as possible. On the other hand, it is your job to get as much as possible for the service you are providing. You settle for somewhere between the two extremes. This is not rocket science. Take the emotion out of it. This is how business operates.
Val knows about insulting intelligence. When he ran the Creol music Fest he refused to even invite the only Creole music band on island the beloved ‘Midnight Groovers’, whom after keeping our Creole music alive for over 40 years, the main players were already in their 60’s.
When the general public cried foul, and he was forced to include them in the line up, Val placed them last; knowing quite well them fellas won’t be able to stay up all night to perform at 5:30AM. Midnight Groovers still brilliantly kept the then sleepy crowd alive and awake to Val’s dismay.
GROOVERS SAY BAND?
I was part of that groovers performance in 08. And what an insult that was for real.I cried foul on that one for months after, even swearing never to play in creole fest if he was still in charge.What goes around really comes back around 360.
I understand what Mr. Cuffy wants to say just that he may be a little too emotional in expressing himself. When you agree to sponsor any event in part or in whole, the money should be part of your marketing and advertising budget. You expect to spend that amount and in return get promotion for your goods or services. Our companies hold artists to ransom by wanting everything including exclusive sale of their product. It is wrong. If you get your advertising whether is a billboard or commercial, that is the extent of your sponsorship. Selling your product is for your sales department.
Val, what show does cost $100 gran nuh? hehe. so If the show flop and the artist could not even get 100 people in the show, who to blame, the sponsors den!!!
He who pays the piper calls the tune! Corporate sponsorship is only given if it contributes to the bottom line. Don’t expect them to finance a festival if it does not ultimately produce a profit.
Val, if you feel people insult you, it’s probably because you have the habit of insulting people
That’s my boy go cuz
Val, if you feel you are being insulted, just politely come back with a counter proposal. If they refuse deal with someone else. No biggie.
You should be one to talk! It is like a circle, guess what you do to others come back around to you in some way or the other.