TV host Donovan Watkis and his company Think’Ed (Media), operators of this website are producing and hosting a new show on the entertainment business in partnership with the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s CBX Network.
The limited cable interview series “The Entertainment Business Show” follows the release of Watkis’ third book “Cultural Capital To Financial Capital: Reggae -Dancehall” in April this year. Similar to the critically acclaimed book, the in-studio show will have more top flight industry guests in conversation with Watkis about how to compete globally in the orange economy and the global entertainment business.
Known popularly as JR Watkis, the knowledgeable music writer has been at the forefront of music streaming in Jamaica over the last four years and he says viewers can expect professionals on the new show who have a proven track record of success in the entertainment industry worldwide.
“Many international artists and brands use Jamaican culture for profit but there is an information gap with Jamaicans, so I have been interviewing guests in the music and entertainment business over the last four years as we try to make Jamaica’s culture and entertainment industry better through transparent and engaging public discourse. These guests will share some of the secrets to success so that newer generations can learn from their mistakes and triumphs,” Watkis said.
Donovan Watkis’ also host and produces World Music Views– the television chart show on TVJ during Entertainment Report as well as the current affairs website dancehallreport.com. For this new venture he continues, “this new show will focus specifically on the business of entertainment. It’s targeted at artists, creatives and other viewers who want to better understand where the money comes from in the entertainment business and how they might monetize their brands, their art and even their lifestyles.”
He says the stories told on the show can also be used as inspiration for young people in any industry.
Managing Director of The Jamaica Stock Exchange Marlene Street Forrest Says it is important for CBX and JSE to do an Entertainment Business Show.
“CBX has moved so early in the life of the station to have an Entertainment Business Show to focus attention on how our rich and vibrant entertainment culture can be monetized to bring value not only to those directly involved but to indirect beneficiaries of the industry. This is where many Jamaicans have a passion and see their ‘promise’. Hence a focus on the economic value of entertainment is a necessity. There is a void which we believe we can fill through this programme” she says.
As to why the JSE chose Donovan Watkis and his company Think Education LTD (Think Media) to produce and host the show she says,
“Donovan Watkis was chosen as he understands the impact of the Business focus that is necessary to educate and stimulate persons within the industry and broader economy to grow the sector. He is youthful, energetic and relatable and has the ability to get key players communicating on and about the sector and we believe ultimately achieve the objective of putting the spotlight on the business of entertainment. He has demonstrated his knowledge, enthusiasm and purpose through his writings in – the notable book titled Cultural Capital to Financial Capital.”
The Business Entertainment Show will be filled with rich content backed by an entertaining and engaging host,” she continued.
The lady at the helm of revolutionizing Jamaica’s Capital Markets and Stock Exchange says,
“The Show will be entertaining, educational, moving upward the needle on the importance of monetizing entertainment and culture; changing mindset and ultimately improving the players and the country’s inflow from this industry and an improvement in our return on investment.”
The Business & Entertainment show hosted by Donovan Watkis will be aired on Sundays at 8:00 pm starting October 23 exclusively on the CBX cable network owned and operated by the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The cable station is carried on Flow channel 143 and channel 28 on Digicel in 30 markets across the Caribbean including Jamaica.
