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Could Branson do it better?
Dotun Adebayo asks whether Virgin Boss Richard Branson could run Notting Hill Carnival
SIR RICHARD Branson to run Notting Hill Carnival. What do you think about that?
It's a recommendation of former carnival boss Chris Boothman, who, frustrated at the amount of work that he and his fellow volunteers were facing to put on ‘the greatest show on earth' (as next year's carnival is expected to be, as it is in Golden Jubilee and Olympics year), resigned his post recently.
Boothman reckons the Virgin boss has got the clout that it takes to pull in the cash and everything else that the Notting Hill knees-up needs
No doubt Branson could pull it off. He's got a track record as a businessman and for getting things done. That's D-O-N. Branson is the don of dons. He'll kill you with that sheepish smile of his. He's ruthless in business.
Back in the Seventies when reggae was hot, he sent his boys down to Jamaica to sign up every person with a dreadlock in the ghetto for a handful of shekels. When punk blew up in everybody's faces in 1977, there he was signing up the group The Sex Pistols, which no other major company would touch with a bargepole. Then he went and set up Virgin Atlantic. First as a rival to British Airways, then as a partner in British Airways. Then as the plaintiff against British Airways in the High Court.
For those who question the ability of a non-Trinidadian to capture the essence of what carnival is ‘all about’, I refer you to Branson's private island in the Caribbean. Which probably qualifies him as more Jamaican than I am.
And didn't Virgin plaster the whole of carnival with their red banners the year that they sponsored it? Why would he have gone to all that trouble plastering every available square inch of carnival with his branding if he didn't get what it's ‘all about’?
But as much as he may be able to organise a profitable carnival, isn't the delivery of carnival on a plate to someone like Branson suggesting that we couldn't organise the world's biggest p**s up in a brewery properly?
If carnival was organised properly, the likes of Chris Boothman would not have to put in a good shift as a director of the street festival while juggling his day job as a barrister to make a living. And we wouldn't have lost one of the best carnival guvnors ever.
Boothman probably won't get the knighthood he deserves for the way he's delivered successive successful carnivals, but if Sir Richard Branson gets the nod to run t'ings for Carnival 2012, he should hire Boothman as his CEO – for a few shekels more.
Posted on: 23/10/2011 09:16 AM
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Commentsthe carnival
Its pretty worrying that Branson has dabbled in everything - caribbean. There is no longer Air Jamaica because Virgin Atlantic has taken over its routes. There will no longer be any caribbean airways, because Branson will fix it. He's even allowed to buy an island all by himself and as long as he has the money we don't seem to care or indeed seek to preserve some dignity. Its true, black people can be bought if the price is right and the carnival will be no exception. It will soon be run by whites with their money and likened to that of glastonbery. Its a huge money spinning occasion and the likes of Richard Branson recognize this as a further exploitation. If that's what we want then its a good choice, if not we need to take more responsibility as a black community.
Anonymous
Personally I no longer care
Personally I no longer care for the Nothing Here Carnival' as it has been stripped of its cultural identity. I am of the younger generation, but understand the foundations of this annual event. Knowing this history cannot allow me to participate in ‘Europe’s biggest carnival, as I feel it is disrespect to the legacy and the likes of the late and great Claudia. Now the carnival is a money making scheme, it’s truly a disgrace.
What really concerns me is that it is supposed to be ‘black history month’ and I see certain schools across London mentioning ‘The Notting Hill Carnival as part of Black History month, which does not bother me as it is part of modern black history. However there seems to be little mention, or seldom mention of Claudia. It’s it’s as if her name is eroded from the foundations of this carnival.
In answer the articles question; could Branson do it better? No the community and grass-roots communities COULD and SHOULD do it BETTER. Sadly I feel we missed the opportunity. The money gained from the event can go to useful causes, such as The Black Supplentrary schools that are suffering in the local areas of West London and North West London areas, youth clubs, and scholarships for university students and money to allow small business to be able to offer apprenticeships etc...
In the spirit of Claudia Jones (15 February 1915—24 December 1964).
David Myles, South London.
Let's face it - he probably
Let's face it - he probably couldn't do any worse than we have let him try...