RJR/Gleaner Communications Group – the largest media conglomorate in the Caribbean
J.A. Lester Spaulding, Chairman of the RJR/Gleaner Communications Group – the largest media conglomorate in the Caribbean died on Friday, November 17.
Spaulding, 76, who died in a Jamaican hospital became Managing Director of Radio Jamaica in 1978.
He led the company through its expansion up to its recent merger to become the RJRGleaner Communications Group.
Several tributes
Following news of his death, tributes have been pouring in for Spaulding who has been referred to as a giant in the Jamaican and Caribbean media landscape,
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Prime Minister Andrew Holness in his tribute expressed “deep regret at his passing.
“Lester Spaulding was a shrewd businessman, his leadership in media and business was exemplary. He was unquestionably one of the most influential business leaders and media innovators in Jamaica’s history.”
Leader of the Opposition Peter Phillips
Leader of the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP), Dr. Peter Phillips said Jamaica and the media fraternity have lost one of its giants. “He was a patriotic Jamaican who always considered a free and fair press to be a part of good governance in the country.” He added that the local and regional media fraternity has lost a pioneer, devoted advocate and consummate friend.
“He was a giant in the industry and the nation will cherish his legacy of building RJR into a multi-platform communication entity… [and] was central to the merger of the RJR/Gleaner Group. This vibrant entity, that he led up to the time of his passing, continues to be a leader in the industry, a bastion of credibility that faithfully serves Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Minister of Culture, Babsy Grange
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange said Spaulding will be remembered for his “tremendous contribution to the development of broadcasting in Jamaica and the Region. His contribution stood out from the time he moved from the position of Chief Accountant to General Manager at Radio Jamaica and the work he did as head of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, all of which preceded his leading RJR through its expansion up to its recent merger to become the RJR/Gleaner Communications Group. He also contributed to the development of the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) and nurtured the formation of the Caribbean Media Corporation being its inaugural Chairman in 2000.”
Grange said another achievement of Spaulding worth highlighting is that he presided over the introduction of the worker participation structure at RJR which resulted in the company’s workers owning shares in the organization.
She also remembers Spaulding as a keen sportsman, having playing a lead role in the Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament for years, and did much to promote sport and Jamaican culture in the broadcast media.
Grange noted that he was thoroughly deserving of all the honors bestowed on him, including the Order of Distinction, Commander Class; induction into the CBU Hall of Fame in 2001; the Caribbean Peer Awards Lifetime Achievement; the Caribbean Media Corporation Award of Excellence for Leadership and the Advertising Agencies Association of Jamaica’s Millennium Man Award.
Spaulding started working at Radio Jamaica 53 years ago and rose through the ranks to become its managing director and chairman.
He had signaled his intention to step down as chairman of the nation’s largest media group at the company’s annual general meeting in September.
