ISAIAH Laing, CEO of Supreme Promotions, organisers of the annual Boxing Day show, Sting, says the company is struggling to keep this year’s event.

“It is very difficult getting sponsorship and to date we are still without a major sponsor,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

TOP: Merciless and Kiprich in battle. Bottom: LAING… it is very difficult getting sponsorship

According to Laing, sponsorship covers approximately one-fifth of Sting’s expenses. He said since its inception in 1984, he and his partners have negotiated with loan agencies, including banks, for support.

“There are times when it gets so bad that we have to sell personal properties in order to repay the loans, so Sting is not always a profitable business as some may believe. We had a good relationship with a particular bank for years but in 2010 when there was a no-show of Vybz Kartel we lost a lot, hence shattering our relationship with the institution,” he said.

Despite the financial obstacles, the event dubbed ‘The greatest one-night show on Earth’ remains one of the most anticipated on the entertainment calendar.

Sting has outlived other live events such as Reggae Sunsplash, Saddle to the East and Sashi, catering to a hardcore audience big on outrageous fashion and the show’s notorious “clashes”.

“Sting audiences are by far the hardest to please. Every year they expect something exciting and different,” Laing said. “Other than the verbal clashes they want to be ‘stinged’. I, therefore, encourage each act to deliver their hit songs. Of course, they can perform a new tune but they must be able to grab the audience attention.”

The clashes have always been a drawing card. Super Cat, Ninjaman, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Stitchie, Papa San, Kiprich and Merciless have been in some of the most memorable face-offs.

Partnering with Supreme Promotions for Sting 2012 is Kingston record company Downsound Records. Laing disclosed that Downsound CEO Josef Bogdanovich has given financial assistance.

“Joe genuinely loves the music business and this is definitely one of his biggest contributions as it relates to stage shows. Downsound and Supreme Promotions are just teaming up to rebuild the concert business that has been diminishing,” said Laing.

Ninjaman, a perennial favourite, is on the bill next month. It will be his first performance at Sting in

five years.

Other acts confirmed are Tommy Lee, Kiprich, Sizzla, Popcaan and Khago.