Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Beverly Hirst and Lester Spaulding are happy with this momento. - Contributed

And so, after some four decades with the RJR media and communications conglomerate, 33 of those years at the head of the organisation, the urbane J. Lester Spaulding is, as they say, hanging up his shoes, and taking leave of the organisation he regarded as his second family.

To be sure, when the history of the RJR group and the ste-wardship of J. Lester Spaulding shall have been written and properly contextualised, it will be noted that the Spaulding era was one that ushered in an unprecedented level of success for the organisation. That too, as well as a new openness in media, that saw the group not only transforming itself from being a sleeping giant, but that of being a more customer-friendly and user-responsive organisation that rose to the challenges that confronted it in the new and liberalised marketplace, and asserted its primacy as the Bible of news and entertainment on the Jamaican landscape.

stewardship

Not only was the his tenure one of evolutionary success, it was one that saw the transformation of the culture of media from being simply the purve-yor of news to that of being an interactive and representative force of the people, for the people and by the people. In this respect, it will be regarded as an unqualified success.

Naturally, one of the contributory factors behind the success of the RJR group was the relationship Spaulding cultivated and nurtured with his media partners, particularly those in the advertising industry. And so, to honour, as well as reflect on the stewardship of the man regarded by his peers as a man of unimpeachable character, business savvy and acumen, the principals of Prism Communi-cation hosted what proved a charming and intimate reception in his honour.

presentation

Hosted at the very swanky Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel on Waterloo Road, atop its Garden Balcony, St Andrew on Thurs-day, November 20, the do was light of manner and easy of mode. None of those long-winded pronouncements some seem fond of giving on the occasion of retirements and other farewells. This was simply a very charming reception, hosted to say thanks to a man whose pivotal role in media accommodated the growth of the industry, as well as that of the advertising industry.

So, with cocktails flowing, and hosts Michael and Beverly Hirst leading the charge, it was one very charming outing, punctuated by the presentation of a memento of the spirit that