Get Social Awards to ‘wheel and come again’

Reggae Sumfest Get Social Awards conceptualiser, Tara Playfair-Scott, says she and her team have already begun assessing the execution of Saturday night's event and will be changing a few things as they look towards next year.

Held at Downsound Records headquarters on Belmont Road, the inaugural event did not pull the support anticipated, as many of the nominees were absent and a vast majority of the night's winners had to send in pre-recorded video messages of gratitude following their win.

Playfair-Scott, admitting that the show needs more work, says one of the things she will be changing going forward is the date of the awards.

"I did take away some lessons and definitely next year we will shift the time because this is the time of year where a lot of artistes and persons end up travelling and going away for work. It's a Saturday as well so a lot of shows are going on," she said. "But overall I'm happy with the way things went. I think this being our first year, we had a pretty good turnout and for a lot of nominees that won and couldn't be here, they were happy to send us a video; they were excited that they won."

With her biggest lesson being timing, Playfair-Scott says come 2020, the event will either be moved ahead of the summer or after.

"It will definitely not be in the summer or as close to summer. Maybe we'll do it a little bit ahead of this time or in October where we know we can count on a lot of people being here. We know the event has the potential to grow from strength to strength and so it's back to the drawing board to tighten up on some key areas."

The Get Social Awards was the newest event added to the Sumfest line-up this year.

More than 100 social media influencers, including Jamaicans based overseas, were shortlisted across 35 categories for the awards. Miss Kitty, Krystal Tomlinson, and child star, Lauren 'LC' Campbell, were among the winners in novel categories including Women Empowering Women and kid star.

Dancehall artiste Spice doubled up on wins, copping the awards for Best Female Dancehall Artiste and Best Publicity Stunt for her infamous bleaching photo released back in November to promote her song, Black Hypocrisy.

Munga Honourable, Teejay, selector Bishop Escobar and producer Rvssian were also winners.