Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) yesterday launched its fourth Cellink Jingle and Song Competition 2009 at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, where the 2007 winner, Cleon Cadogan, unveiled a new fully-loaded Toyota Vios motorcar, up for grabs.

Representatives of the sponsors yesterday with the car to be presented to the first place winner.

In 2007, Cleon Cadogan got the judges’ nod for first place, while his runners-up were Renee Winter and Mondale Smith placing second and third respectively.

Mr. Cadogan, in brief remarks, said that the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition 2007 was a “dream come true for him”.

GT&T Director of Marketing and Sales, Wyston Roberts, told the gathering that the competition features young local stars, a competition for which the telephone company has committed over $8B in prizes.

He added that GT&T is all about the development of youth-driven initiatives locally and it wants to bring out the best in the young music industry.

Meanwhile, Marketing Officer Renata Exeter yesterday outlined the rules and history of the competition.

She said that it all began in 2005, when telecommunications giant GT&T made a phenomenal entry into the local music and entertainment arena. Ms. Exeter said that the event, dubbed the “GT&T Cellink Jingle Competition”, was the first of its kind in the country and with spectacular fanfare, this premier event captured the hearts of Guyanese.

She noted that since 2005, the Jingle Competition has evolved in to the Jingle and Song Competition, a fitting direction for the competition to take.

However, she said that in 2008 it was mainly because of Guyana’s involvement in Carifesta X celebrations that the company decided to omit this glitzy feature from their ‘Blue Power curriculum’.

Ms. Exeter pointed out that the company has partnered with corporate sponsors, namely Ansa McAl Ltd, Beharry Automotive Ltd, NCN, Impressions and HJTV, who all share in the objectives of providing exposure and an opportunity for young local artistes to market and highlight their talent and to contribute to the development of the music industry in Guyana.

Up for grabs this time around are a brand new fully loaded Toyota Vios motor car, cash prizes, cell phones, iPods and lots of other offers.

GT&T Jingle and Song Competition serves as one of the many forums where the company contributes positively to the local music industry.

Under the theme “Caribbean Rhythm, Guyanese Vybz’, the competition will see auditions hosted in Essequibo, Linden, Georgetown and Berbice.

For 2009, the company escalated far above expectations and is making it possible for the winner to take home a new car, a one-year endorsement contract with GT&T, a complimentary recording of a single, an Apple IPOD touch, a Samsung Bluetooth Headset and a cellular phone. The second place winner will take home $500,000, a one-year endorsement contract with GT&T, an Apple IPOD touch and a cellular phone, while the third place winner will get $250,000, an Apple IPOD and of course a cell phone.

After the countrywide auditions are concluded, 25 persons will be shortlisted for the quarter-finals. The GT&T Cellink Jingle and Song Competition will be aired every Thursday night on NCN and HJTV.

An elegant and exciting “Blue Carpet Cocktail” will be hosted in the honour of the quarter-finalists which will mark the official launch of the competition. At this event the contestants will be presented to the public for the first time opportunity to showcase their vocal abilities. There will be no judging of the contestants’ presentation at this segment.

The jingle of every contestant will be aired on radio and the public will be invited to vote for their favourite artiste.

The Theatre Guild will come alive when the first quarter is staged there. Tickets will be on sale for this and every segment that follows after.

Many colourful and artistic Caribbean themes will be created for each night of competition and while the participants will perform in front of a panel of judges, the song they are to perform will be selected according to the theme of the night.

The judges selected for the competition are Sean Bhola, Oliver Basdeo, and gospel songstress Cheryl Maloney.

The first round of auditions will kick off in Georgetown from June 5 to June 7, while the second round begins in Berbice on June 14. June 19 is the date set for auditions in Essequibo, while the Linden auditions will be staged on June 21.

The quarter and semifinal segment is set for July 5 to July 12, while the final show is on July 17 and the grand finale is carded for July 26.