‘Build brand’: Creatives leader urges artists work on marketing

The new head of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA) has urged artists to develop their brand identity to increase work chances in global markets.

Taking over as president following Charles Lewis’ resignation,  Carter told Barbados TODAY of his hope that artists will pay more attention to touring opportunities, given the growing number of festivals and other events produced in other countries.

“You see what we have is a lot of raw talent, and I think what is needed now is some enlightening and some educating,” he said. “The last time I was the president of BACA back in 2022, what we did that year is that every quarter we would have either a webinar, seminar or a workshop, that was like the educational arm of BACA.

“I can tell you we have something big planned for September, that would actually enlighten and educate the artists as to how to become export-ready. Not just export-ready as far as getting your music out there and on the digital platforms – that’s the easiest part of it – but as it relates to their personal brand, brand identity [and] brand consistency. Those are some of the things that we will be looking at in that seminar.”

Carter was upbeat about the artists’ prospects for the summer season, due to the hosting of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Crop Over, and other immediately following events.

“Another good thing this year is the Emancipation Village down Pelican [Village], that kicked off [recently], and this is an added attraction to Crop Over as well, as another opportunity for artists to perform. So at this stage which is the beginning of Crop Over, the beginning of ICC cricket, it’s looking as though it will be an excellent year for entertainers in Barbados,” he said.

Carter added that BACA expects young entertainers to once again have a good year as they did in 2023.

“Last year was good because you saw some of what would have been the veterans in the Junior Monarch actually doing well in the competition. Just the year before, we had Quon winning in his first year of transitioning from the juniors to the seniors, so that was excellent. I believe that when persons see young persons winning like Quon and the amount of young artists that took part in Pic-O-De-Crop last year, it would encourage others to do the same.

“I believe that all the faces we saw last year, we will see them again.”