BY TEINO EVANS, Staff Reporter
Wayne Marshall has withdrawn from the RE TV School Tour. - CARLINGTON WILMOT
IT HAS BEEN reported that deejay Wayne Marshall is no longer a part of the RE School tour, an event that has brought various artistes into schools across the island to perform and instil positive values among the youths.
It has been suggested that the reason for Marshall's sudden exit from the RE School Tour, is the result of some conflict of interest arising from the fact that he is on board Cable and Wireless' campaigns and rivals Digicel are the main sponsors of the school tour.
Wayne Marshall, however, declined to make a comment on the issue, due to the "technical and political nature of the situation."
According to a representative from his management company, Solid Agency, Marshall made the decision to withdraw from the tour because he felt that there were conflicting interests.
Heather Shields, head of marketing at Digicel (Jamaica), the major sponsors of the RE School tour, while not offering a comment on the issue of the 'conflict of interest' in a statement said: "Digicel has a long-standing relationship with RETV and the High School Tour. This is the second staging of the tour and we've been with it since its inception. We were made aware that Wayne will not be able to participate in future RE School Tours. It is regrettable; and Wayne's vibe and exuberance will be missed from the shows."
RE TV's CEO, Kimani Robinson, also did not comment on the supposed conflict but said he could not conclusively say that Wayne Marshall would no longer be a part of the RE School Tour.
"Wayne is a good friend of RE TV, I know there was some issues that needed to be worked out, but I wouldn't call it an absolute that Wayne is no longer with the tour. The tour is not on right now, because this thing is periodic, but I know he was on it for most of the tour and the last part a little thing went down," Robinson said.
No comments were forthcoming from Cable and Wireless on the matter up to press time.
RE's School Tour was developed by RE TV to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in schools. Among some of the artistes featured on the tour which visits a school each week are Tami Chynn, T.O.K., Bling Dawg, Voice Mail, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Alaine, Red Rat and a special guest artiste.
Tami, T.O.K., Voice Mail and Bling Dawg have performed for Bridgeport, St. Hughes and Meadowbrook High schools, among others. Six schools have been completed in the second season, which lasted for six weeks. The first segment, held earlier this year, lasted for 10 weeks.
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