THE launch of the seventh annual Youth View Awards (YVAs) was held on the pavillion at the Terra Nova All-Suites Hotel last Friday. The ocassion was also used to announce the nominees for this year’s awards.

Karen Clarke — CEO of An Elegant Affair Events Production — producers of the YVAs, announced that some of this year’s categories will no longer be gender specific and will be opened to both males and females. It was also said that there will be an online app where users can vote for their favourite nominees.

The YVAs are set to be on February 1 at the National Indoor Sports Centre and will be hosted for the first timed by media personality Miss Kitty.

Already announced to much buzz on Twitter, the Replay singer and Disney show Shake It Up star Zendaya will be the international guest artiste and the face of the social media campaign.

Other performers on the night will be Samantha J, Alaine, I Octane, and Popcaan.

The announcement of the nominees was a star-studded affair that brought out returning and new sponsors — Jamaica Observer — to mingle with artistes, video directors, music producers, selectors and the YVANation.

Brand manager for Pepsi, Carla Hollingsworth announced that there will be a ‘Shake It Up’ fan competition on the Facebook page, where a few lucky fans will be able to win tickets to the show.

Pepsi and Digicel also used the occasion to renew their contracts with YVAs for three years (until 2018).

Sponsorship manager for Digicel Tahnida Nunes stated that prior to the event, if you purchase a BLU Life Play or DL700 handset, there will be 50 per cent discount on a general YVAs ticket.

On the night, February 1, there will be a tweet lounge and there will also be live streaming from the swag lounge, which will be hosted by local YouTube vlogger Dutty Berry.

Other sponsors include KFC, Pizza Hut, Television Jamaica, Zip 103 FM, and many more.