Feel De Vibe: Scotiabank Caribana Festival launches first-ever mobile app

TORONTO, July 12 /CNW/ - Scotiabank Caribana today launched a new way for Festival participants to enjoy Toronto's most historic celebration of Caribbean culture. For the first-time, Smartphone users will be able to download the Scotiabank Caribana Navigator, a FREE mobile app for Blackberry, iPhone and Android platforms to discover all the unique events at this year's Festival. Users will also be able to cast their vote for the best Festival costume with the Scotiabank People's Choice Costume Contest in real-time and enter for a chance to win prizes from: Grace Foods, Blackberry and Breezes Vacations, including an all-expense paid trip to the Caribbean.

"With the new Scotiabank Caribana Navigator, we are offering Festival attendees an even more engaging experience by enabling them to actively participate in the event from the palm of their hand," said Jim Tobin, Scotiabank Director Brand and Sponsorships.

The Scotiabank Caribana Navigator app, designed by Simply Good Technologies is FREE for Blackberry, iPhone and Android platforms and allows users to:

-   FIND de Vibe: explore and map key festival locations and points of
        interest around Toronto
    -   SEE de Vibe: view festival photos and videos, submit photos and share
        with others
    -   WIN de Vibe: enter the 'Feel De Vibe' contest for a chance to win
        many prizes including an all-inclusive vacation to Jamaica. Users
        can also vote in the Scotiabank People's Choice Costume Contest
    -   FOLLOW de Vibe: stay connected with festival updates and interact on
        Facebook and Twitter
    -   MORE 'TINGS' - view a digital version of the festival guide, get more
        festival information and make music along with the 'Feel De Vibe'
        theme song.

The 2010 Scotiabank People's Choice Costume Contest brings a new level of interactive fun for participants and festival attendees. Each Mas Band participating in the Scotiabank Caribana Parade on July 31 is eligible to submit two photos for best male or female costume, and a chance to win $1000 in each category. Festival enthusiasts will rate the costumes as spicy or mild, and the final choice will rest in the peoples' hands.

Smartphone users can download the Scotiabank Caribana Navigator on iTunes, Blackberry App World or on the Android Market, provided they have the latest smartphone with a camera and GPS to take full advantage of all the app's features. For more information on how to download the app, please visit the official Scotiabank Caribana website, at www.caribanafestival.com. Please note that although the Scotiabank Caribana Navigator app is FREE to download, carrier/network data charges may apply.

Photos can be uploaded on the mobile app, or online at www.caribanafestival.com. Voters rate their favourite photos on a scale of five stars, from Spicy to Mild.

"The Scotiabank Caribana Navigator App is the perfect compliment to our award winning virtual marketing campaign," said Andre Newell, Director of Marketing and Communications for Scotiabank Caribana. "The Navigator creates a richer experience for our audience by making all of our interactive web content available to mobile users everywhere, anytime."

"The Scotiabank Caribana Navigator app offers Caribana enthusiasts the opportunity to use the great functionality of their smartphones to have an even better experience at Caribana," said Bill McLean, co-founder Simply Good Technologies.

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of health, education, sports, social services and arts and culture. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com

About Simply Good:

A Canadian company, Simply Good is leading the way in delivering an entirely new future of consumer engagement opportunity through mobile technology innovation. The company focuses on leveraging proprietary image capture/upload technology with location-based content that is personally relevant to the user. It is then promoted using fun and creative functionality on a smart device handset. Visit www.simplygood.com for more information.