Cooper
PULSE INVESTMENTS Ltd., franchise holders for the Jamaica preliminary to the Miss Universe contest, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Television Jamaica (TVJ) to produce the Miss Jamaica Universe Beauty Pageant.
Under the agreement, TVJ has taken a 50 per cent equity stake in the production of the Jamaican aspect of the Miss Universe Pageant the largest beauty pageant in the world and one that is broadcast annually to a television audience of close to one billion persons worldwide.
Both Pulse and TVJ have indicated that they are gratified to have arrived at an agreement on the project. According to Pulse Chairman, Kingsley Cooper: "This partnership with TVJ will not only provide additional resources to take the event further, but will put the marketing strength of the Caribbean's leading media group behind Miss Jamaica Universe. This is a development that will benefit the Pageant's sponsors immeasurably."
GOOD PROGRAMMING
For his part, Gary Allen, director of operations at the RJR Communications Group, owners of TVJ, noted: "The Miss Jamaica Universe Pageant is good programming something for which TVJ is always on the lookout and is the reason that we have carried it exclusively for the past several years. The signing of this deal with Pulse Investments consolidates our commitment to bringing Jamaica some of the best of this type of entertainment and it brings together some of the best talent available in the production of such special events."
Mr. Cooper explains that the Pulse/TVJ deal is part of a general reorganisation of the event, which Pulse started in 2003. As of late 2004, the local preliminary will be held close to a year in advance of the international pageant, thereby giving Miss Jamaica a better chance to prepare and compete for the title. The winner of that event will represent Jamaica at the 2005 Pageant. However, in order to maintain the tradition of sending a representative every year since Pulse was awarded the franchise in 1989, the organisation has scheduled a 'boutique' event for April 8 to select a representative for the 2004 competition in Equador. Entries to this year's Pageant will close on April 6 at 4:00 p.m. "There is therefore not a lot of time remaining for young ladies who are interested in representing Jamaica in Equador to contact Pulse or TVJ to record that interest," said Mr. Cooper.
Such pageants are proving to be very popular with a range of young women between 18 and 26 years. Many use it as an opportunity, Mr. Cooper explained, to secure financing for their tertiary education with the $1 million prize package, including $250,000.00 in cash, proving a big draw. "This is what the winner of the April 8 event will take home," Mr. Cooper pointed out.
The Miss Universe competition is owned by the US-based Donald Trump/NBC partnership called The Miss Universe Organisation.
