Kingsley Cooper
PULSE INVESTMENTS, a modelling and entertainment agency, has emerged from rumours of insolvency in the late 1990s to unveil an international marketing thrust and six dazzling months of celebration leading up to its 21st anniversary in January 2001.
There are few who would dispute the pioneering role of the agency which, as accurately as darts to the pin board, has sent Jamaican women to fame on the international catwalk.
And, now in the works, they indicate, are plans for a much more international operation involving joint ventures in the Caribbean; a Caribbean Fashion Week targeted at European Union and American interests; fashion tours throughout the Americas; an international edition of the models' diary and Caribbean Style - a television show featuring international supermodel Lois samuels, for which shooting will start late summer at the Pulse-owned Villa Ronai.
All of this is on the heels of the launch of the 'Model Millennium' by the agency, seeking to successfully place 100 Caribbean models in the international market place by the year 2005.
"It is what we have achieved in the last 21 years that makes this possible," said Kingsley Cooper, chief executive officer of Pulse."We have the expertise, the experience, the contacts and the developed stars. We have the people now in positions now that allow for better event planning, event co-ordination.," he said.
Apparently, a number of the women among the agency's international talent will be pulling their weight in launching the new direction in activities.
And, they should not have the hardest time doing so. Pulse's talent corps include the famous Lois Samuels (supermodel and author of 'A Glow In The Dark'); Althea Laing (Essence cover girl); Rachel Stewart (BET show host) supermodels Kimberley Mais (winner of the Hollywood Star Search); Nicky Vassell and Romae Gordon.
Model Kimberly wrote her own pages in the success story when she was selected for the Kirin Beer campaign in Japan. She achieved success in Paris, New York, Milan and Spain before settling down in Tokyo where she became the number one model in the Japanese market.
Mr. Cooper does not avoid the charge that he has been gored a few times, amidst all the glitz and glamour. Frankly, he is grateful for survival after playing hardball with debtors in recent times.
No show
The deepest wounds came in showbiz. In 1984, Reggae Superjam suffered significant losses when Dennis Brown failed to show and Black Uhuru split, also defaulting. The company lost some J$500,000 (the equivalent of J$30 million today).
Last year, the Nas no-show was another stab where it hurt. But, after all, it was a blessing in disguise.
The American rap star (real name Nasir Jones) settled in response to the Pulse-initiated suit for failing two times in a row to appear for the company's summer version of its popular Reggae Superjam concert.
"The no-show made it the most successful by virtue of the settlement", Cooper stated.
Yet, with the risks involved in music promotion, it is no wonder that he has decided to concentrate on the area in which he has experienced the most success -- fashion and models.
"The potential for models is high once one is not just focused on the Jamaican market," he said.
As a matter of strategy Pulse has returned its model agency to the centre of its business and most activities and events revolve around its Model Millennium plan and by extension, the model agency. The Model Search, Fashion Model, Supermodel and Miss Jamaica Universe events are producing talent in demand.
"We have always sought for our models major international contracts (Ford Agency, Vogue)," he said, adding that he has never regretted abandoning his legal practice for this fashion focus.
He remembered the early years when people thought he was mad and some even ridiculed him. In fact, though he put Villa Ronai and other properties into hock to capitalise his ventures, it was his reputation and credibility that was most at risk.
Now, going on 21 years after start-up, he feels vindicated.
What started as a private, promotional entity successfully went public in 1994. The promotional body for stage shows has grown into a company under whose umbrella rests the Jamaica Fashion Collections, The Jamaica Fashion model pageant, Miss Jamaica Universe franchise, Villa Ronai, and Reggae Superjam.
If plans go as expected, an international market "worth billions of dollars" will be more deeply tapped by Pulse Investments.
It is a worthy coming of age, it appears.
