By Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Oliver McIntosh. - Ricardo Makyn / Staff Photographer
LEAVING ONE of the largest investment banks in the world feels like the best decision he has made. Being vice- president at Merrill Lynch Investment Bank in London, England could not fill an emptiness. So, when Oliver McIntosh was approached by sports enthusiast Pat Rousseau with an idea of starting a business back home in Jamaica he jumped on board.
McIntosh is described as someone who has charisma, brains, intelligence and money. However, this young single business don has his eyes set on developing International Media Content (IMC). McIntosh, who is 32 years old is the youngest partner "by a mile" at IMC.
Prior to starting at St. George's College in Kingston, McIntosh migrated with his family to the United States of America. There, he entered Townsend Harris High School in New York. Later, he applied while in the 10th grade and was accepted to Howard University, receiving a full academic scholarship. At Howard, he studied Actuarial Science and graduated with honours.
After college, the young graduate hopped between jobs searching for some fulfilment. He worked at Solomon Investment Bank in America and was the second youngest manager at Merge and Acquisition. He also worked at a Home Depot franchise; then prior to going home he worked with Merrill Lynch Investment Bank.
Now, McIntosh is right where his heart's desire is back home mixing hobby with business. He is the managing director at IMC, whose other main partners are former captain of the West Indies cricket team, Courtney Walsh; Dehring, Bunting and Golding's Chris Dehring and Rousseau. IMC is based in St. Lucia and is the parent company of Financial Channel (FC), SPORTS MAX Limited and Caribbean Sports Marketing with its operations at 14-16 Trinidad Terrace in New Kingston.
Sports Max and FC are broadcasted on 12 cable networks in St. Catherine, Kingston and St. Andrew. The programmes of SPORTS MAX and FC are televised on one channel but McIntosh said within the next two weeks they will be separate channels on each cable stations. SPORTS MAX buys the rights of international sporting events such as the West Indies Cricket team tours and English Premier leagues, and FC provides financial happenings within the local and international money market with access to Bloomberg television.
The company was officially launched last year November and McIntosh said they already see that the service was needed.
"SPORTS MAX is the only channel broadcasting in the Caribbean dedicated to sports. The only one is CMC (Caribbean Media Corporation) but that was for selected sports, mostly cricket," Walsh said. The main objective of IMC is to provide the service island-wide, within the Caribbean as well as in North America and Europe.
"It's something Jamaica needed, it's nice for Jamaica to be involved in sports broadcasting. The company is heading in the right direction as our plus outweighs the minuses," Walsh added, while revealing that it was a long-term dream of his to be involved in sports otherwise from being a player.
At the offices of SPORTS MAX on Trinidad Terrace, final touches are being put in place. The building is being completed with a studio, a boardroom and an administrative office. Walsh said the year was "spent mostly on building up the company, getting the required equipment and manpower." Currently, there are 12 persons employed to the New Kingston branch and two in St. Lucia with the hope of expanding.
McIntosh noted that although many Jamaicans overseas are afraid of investing in their homeland, he is not. He said that the business market maybe volatile but there is scope for growth.
"If I don't do it, then who will? If it was for money I would not have left London but I prefer being in Jamaica."
He said
"JAMAICANS LOVE sports. Thus our belief that SPORTS MAX will do well. Currently we show football, cricket and boxing archives. Soon we will have heavyweight fights such as top draw matches. Basketball is archived as well but we will soon show the recent games.
"Jamaica is always where I'll belong. I wanted to come home from as long as I can remember. I visited at least four times every year. But I finally made the decision to come home in October, 2002. "Jamaica's culture was felt on campus. I probably brought reggae to where it is today at Howard, as I was a campus disc jockey, nicknamed 'DJ Olly Mo' from the Bodyguard sound. I was also once the president of the Caribbean Students' Association and was vice-president of the Business School Organisation.
"I am single, not in a serious relationship and have no children. But I have eight nieces and nephews and five godchildren. I give thanks for what I have achieved whether in my work or being able to invest my money in real estate in the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Jamaica is where the heart is. I haven't regretted coming back home. I have had different experiences that most people don't get the opportunity to have, but at the end of the day, one wants a better life. It's not only about the weather and family, but contributing back to the society. Minorities such as West Indians don't really have a close community aboard but we get that at home.
My sister Gillian McIntosh died from cancer at age 30. In recognising her life, a scholarship was set up at Howard University, also where she went to college. As the trustee of the scholarship, I want to start it at high schools in Jamaica, probably at St. Hugh's High and St. George's College where my sister and brothers went to school. It baffles me that we don't spend enough on education but we must try and harness some of the valuable talents.
"I am a Carnival lover. I'm known for travelling to Trinidad yearly for Carnival. I am also a big golf fan love to watch and
play golf."
