DU MAURIER RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF JAZZ FESTIVAL
By Adnews Staff
Montreal-based tobacco company du Maurier will return as the title sponsor of the 2001 Vancouver International Jazz Festival produced by the Vancouver-based Coastal Jazz and Blues Society. Du Maurier has held the role of title sponsor of the event since its inception 16 years ago. The one-year agreement will see du Maurier contribute $600,000 towards the festival's $2.8 million budget. Coastal Jazz and Blues Society executive director Robert Kerr said because of the federal government's Tobacco Act, Bill C-71, which took effect October 1, du Maurier's name and logo cannot be used in the festival's television and radio advertising or appear on billboards and posters not located on the festival's site. He added, du Maurier has also indicated it would like to continue its relationship with the festival until October 1, 2003 when promotion of tobacco sponsorships is prohibited entirely. The 2001 festival will run from June 22 through July 1.